Who is authorized to close a runway when there is a disabled aircraft on the runway?

Who is authorized to close a runway when there is a disabled aircraft on the runway?

• A. Operations Supervisor on duty in the tower
• B. Local FAA Manager
• C. Airport management
• D. Operations Manager

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that runway status and closures are determined at the airport operator level. When a disabled aircraft blocks a runway, the formal decision to declare the runway closed rests with airport management, who oversee the airfield’s operating status and coordinate with the FAA and issue NOTAMs as needed. The tower can request a closure for safety and can take immediate actions to protect people and operations, but final authority to close the runway sits with airport management. The local FAA manager may advise or restrict operations, and internal roles like an operations supervisor or an operations manager can influence actions, but they don’t hold the ultimate on-field authority to formally close the runway.

The key idea is that runway status and closures are determined at the airport operator level. When a disabled aircraft blocks a runway, the formal decision to declare the runway closed rests with airport management, who oversee the airfield’s operating status and coordinate with the FAA and issue NOTAMs as needed. The tower can request a closure for safety and can take immediate actions to protect people and operations, but final authority to close the runway sits with airport management. The local FAA manager may advise or restrict operations, and internal roles like an operations supervisor or an operations manager can influence actions, but they don’t hold the ultimate on-field authority to formally close the runway.