Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 57; Flight Crew Total 534; Flight Crew Type 52
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Rejected Takeoff; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
Runway 01/19 was closed by a NOTAM for lawnmowing. I was conducting a training flight practicing landings on Runway 14. My student and I back-taxied Runway 14 for departure. My student made a departure radio call 'Skyhaven traffic Aircraft X departing Runway 14 Skyhaven traffic' The aircraft was lined up with centerline and the runway was clear of obstructions. My student applied full power and we started the takeoff roll. Approximately 4-500 feet or 2-3 centerline stripes into our takeoff roll and at an airspeed of 50 MPH I noticed a lawnmower about to cross the runway. The lawnmower now on the runway; I said out loud to my student 'abort takeoff; power idle; max braking'. My student performed an aborted takeoff and we were able to stop before reaching the lawnmower by roughly 700 feet. I then radioed to line service at the airport and informed them of the runway incursion incident. I believe this incident was caused by the lack of airport supervision of the lawn care company that is not familiar with airport operations. Neither lawnmower that was operating near the runways had any type of flag or amber flashing beacon so it was hard to see until the lawnmower was on the actual runway. I believe better Airport Manager supervision of the lawn care crew and/or airport operations training for the lawn care crew; and orange/white flags with amber beacons on the lawnmowers would increase the visibility all helping to prevent a future incident.
Flight Instructor on training flight reports lawnmower incursion on active runway.