Medium Large Transport
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 5.5
Confusion; Communication Breakdown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach
Airport; Procedure
When Aircraft X checked on; I told him PVD Tower and Approach were closed; the airport was uncontrolled; and advise when they had the weather and NOTAMs. He said; 'I have em.' I told him to expect a visual approach; and he responded that they were expecting a visual approach to Runway 23. I told him when I gave him the clearance; I wouldn't assign him a runway for the visual approach; but that he could set up for 23 if he wanted. Later; after issuing cancellation instructions; making sure he had the field in sight; etc.; I cleared him for the visual approach and observed him making a turn toward the north (I assumed setting up for Runway 23). I told him to change to advisory frequency. Later; I noticed him turning away from Runway 23 on the radar; but I assumed it was because he was too high and trying to lose some altitude. Then I noticed him level at 2;600 and turn to the southwest. PVD airport operations called up and said that Runway 16/34 was closed and they had another air carrier just try to land on it. He said the closure NOTAM was for tomorrow. I was really confused; I told him I knew it was closed long term. He said; no; the closure for Runway 5/23 and I told him I knew that. We chatted some about how I thought the pilot was setting up for 23 (and airport operations said he thought so too); and then all of a sudden it looked like he was changing runways. I told airport operations thank you. Aircraft X ended up canceling a few minutes later (I didn't talk to them about what happened).I don't know what to recommend. We seem to be having all kinds of problems with PVD and I have no suggestions.
ZBW Controller reports of an aircraft going to an airport that was uncontrolled and questioned the pilot about NOTAMS and weather. The flight was sent over to UNICOM and the aircraft was observed by the Controller descending; then what appears the aircraft moved to a different runway. The Controller then received a phone call from the airport operations stating the aircraft tried to land on a closed runway.