Small Transport
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 21.5
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Distraction
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Runway
Airport; Procedure; Staffing; Human Factors
Upon arriving at ANC for my shift; I was last person to Cab; so got to work CIC/CD duties. When the next person arrived; I opened CD as a stand alone position. We had one CPC scheduled for [to come in 2 hours later]. Normal staffing is 6 CPC's and a FLM. Seeing that we were short staffed until [halfway through the shift] when we would receive a FLM and CPCIT; I combined CIC and CD for short breaks knowing that LHD would need to be open [in 90 minutes]. I received several phone calls from the State of Alaska in regards to construction that was about to start. Taxiways were open; then not open; Runway 7L was scheduled to close. I made the ATIS adding all of the closures including Runway 25R (15/25 configuration). I announced the new code and stated Runway 7L closed. In the ANC LOA with the State of Alaska; runway closures must be coordinated with ANC. Past practice has always been on frequency 118.3. I was giving a briefing to the relieving Controller; head down using the checklist and explaining the current closures. While we were briefing we missed the Local Controller changing an aircraft from 25L to 25R; and clearing to land. Neither of us saw or heard that; and did not see the aircraft land. I went on break. About 20 minutes later I was called back upstairs to open CD; and was asked about Runway 25R being closed. I said I assumed it was; it was supposed to close. I was then informed that two aircraft had landed on that runway; and that Local Control never got the call that it was closed.I think this was a one time event and occurred to confusion for the most part. There was a lot going on; we were short staffed; ANC airport operations were juggling a lot of closures of taxiways; equip; etc. Fortunately the AMASS data shows the runway clear both times; and the airport vehicle stated he was clear of the runway in the safety area.
I don't have all the details. I was working CIC/FD/CD and trying to coordinate what was exactly being closed and opened with airport at the time. The airport did not seem to know what they were going to open and close when it came to surface areas.
Two Controllers from ANC Tower describe a shift where they don't know what runways and taxiways are closed or open and land two aircraft on a closed runway.