What, if any, responsibility does ATC have?

Question

Should the controller have recognized and communicated that yesterday's accident aircraft was on the wrong runway?

Answer 1

Although it is ATC's job to direct aircraft to the intended runway and monitor traffic on the ground and in the air, the final responsibility for following these directions lies with the PIC (Pilot in Command). Pilots are not required to follow ATC directions if they feel the directions or recommendations may have been made in error or pose an unsafe condition. In these instances, the PIC is to contact ATC and explain why they do not wish to follow instructions. Generally, ATC and the PIC will agree on an alternate plan of action. The pilot should always read back or otherwise acknowledge ATC transmissions. If ATC tells you to use runway 22 and your heading indicator (Compass) indicates a heading of 280, something is definately wrong. It would the responsibility of the PIC to contact ATC and confirm he was on the right runway.

Answer 2

ATC will have some of the blame. The main blame lies with the pilot in command at the time of take off roll. The own/operator of the airport will also share some blame too.

In conversations with former controllers and others, there is very lite air traffic at this airport. At the time of the incident there were no other aircraft taxing on the ground nor were there any other aircraft in the area. There was one controller on duty at the time. My guess is tower is not a FAA staffed, but a contract tower, operated by a private company, that was hired by the FAA to cut cost.

Answer 3

Air Traffic Control ensures the safe operation of commercial and private aircraft.

The tower should have told the pilot which runway to use and the pilot should have verified and called back to the tower. The records at the ATC will show what the controller did and what he relayed to the pilot.

Answer 4

Yes. Most definitely. They may have some excuse, which is unforgivable, like being distracted by something. They should be looking out at the active runway, and including those aircraft moving in the whole airfield.

Answer 5

Air Traffic Control has responsibilities to direct aircraft on the ground, taxiing to the active runway and takeoff. in the air enroute, and the approach and landing phase... also, while enroute, an air traffic controllers responsibilities are to make sure aircraft are separated 5 miles apart laterally, and 1000 ft vertically (not sure if these are correct, i got them from http://www.atc-sim.com )

Answer 6

They help planes land and take off, mainly...All Things Considered.

Answer 7

It is entirely too soon to speculate on what should or should not have been done.