Air Traffic Control Developmental
Confusion; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown; Ground Incursion Runway; Inflight Event / Encounter Bird / Animal
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors
A Dash 8 had departed Runway 8 and reported a bird strike. Airport Operations was dispatched to conduct a runway inspection. Airport Operations was instructed to proceed onto the runway after proper coordination had been accomplished; and the runway occupancy sign was lighted. Airport Operations had been on the runway for a few minutes; while operations continued on other runways. Another Dash 8 was taxiing towards Runway 8; and I noted that I had a gap between departures and arrivals; so issued a takeoff clearance. Fortunately; Airport Operations heard this; and exited the runway; reporting clear of the runway before the Dash 8 began his take off role. The lighted sign was turned on by the Tower FLM; but I did not use my usual memory jogger; which is to turn the strips face-down when a runway is occupied. I should have done this immediately upon putting the vehicle on the runway; and instead only saw the gap to launch.
Tower Controller described a potential runway conflict when clearing an aircraft for takeoff with an airport vehicle on the runway checking for debris; the vehicle cleared on his own hearing the ATC clearance.