Launceston control tower hours to be part of lights investigation

[oz_mark]

Launceston control tower hours to be part of lights investigation ABC Tasmania

It's been revealed Launceston's air traffic control tower closed just 10 minutes before a Launceston Jetstar flight took off in darkness last week.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is investigating how the Jetstar A-320 Airbus departed for Sydney without runway lights last wednesday night.

It's understood the aircraft was running more than an hour late.

 

[markis10]

LOL ATCs going off duty dont turn the runway lights off, what a beat up!

I would be surprised if a RPT flight departed without ATC clearance, no pilot in their right mind would risk the lives of 200 people for commercial reasons, at least I hope not.

 

[meloz]

More than likely a case of the PAL (Pilot Activated Lighting) shutting down as they took off. Unmanned field's lighting can be activated by transmittiming on a set freq. from the coughpit. The lights generally last approx. 10 minutes, of which the last few minutes the wind sock lighting flashes. It can be a trap if you don't notice the the wind sock flashing during the final moments.

Meloz