Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 2
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Other / Unknown; Ground Event / Encounter Ground Strike - Aircraft; Ground Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Flight Crew Rejected Takeoff
Human Factors; Procedure; Weather
A snow team had cleared snow from an intersecting runway and taxiway and had left snow on the runway. I asked the city vehicle about the snow on the runway and if it was safe for aircraft to depart. The city vehicle said the snow was 'just a dusting'. Two aircraft departed without incident. The snow team did another pass on the intersecting runway. After that; another aircraft started departure roll and then aborted the takeoff after hitting a snow bank. The pilot said it was about 2 feet deep and felt like hitting a herd of deer. The airport needs a vast improvement in their snow removal operation overall; and they need to be aware of snow that gets left on active runways.
Tower Local Controller reported snow removal vehicles reported clearing the runway before a departing aircraft hit a snow bank and rejected takeoff.