Large Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 4
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Incursion Runway
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Procedure; Airport; Company Policy; Human Factors
I was working Local Control. Aircraft Y landed and while taxiing on taxiway M informed me that he could no longer move; that he had a brake issue and needed a tug. I asked the Controller in Charge who was also working Ground Control to call the other tower and ask them to coordinate with the city to get a tug for Aircraft Y; that he could no longer move due to a brake issue. I continued to land 9L. I told the aircraft as they exited to keep it tight with the one in front so we could put as many down as we could. I coordinated with the other tower Local position that I had a disabled aircraft on taxiway M; and I will have multiple go arounds. I was able to put 3 regional jets behind Aircraft Y on the taxiway. One regional jet I turned around on a taxiway to hold short of the left runway at the end of the runway. Aircraft X was the last one I could in my opinion land. With Aircraft X I had issue a 180 degree turn on the runway and back taxi to exit at the other end. I sent an aircraft around. During this the other tower Local control keyed in my ear multiple times and heard me clearing aircraft to land so I did not call them back to tell them that these ones were landing. I called them to coordinate missed approach instructions for the go-around. The go-around was the last aircraft on final for the left runway. The other tower called me to tell me that they were going to start landing aircraft on the right runway.With Aircraft X I taxied Z; T hold short of G. I back taxied an aircraft down the left runway; then Z; T hold short of G. I called the other tower supervisor to ask if 3rd round was open; I was told no. I put Aircraft X and the back taxi on Ground Control. During all this the Controller in Charge was busy coordinating with the other tower and I'm not sure who else. I went on break right after this. When I came back from break I was working Ground Control. The other tower supervisor called (probably about an hour and a half after this all happened) and said 'what are the 2 call signs of the aircraft that landed on a closed runway'. I said 'what?' I had no clue what he was talking about. He rephrased the questions to who were the last 2 aircraft that landed on the left runway when the Aircraft Y broke down on a taxiway. I went over to look at arrival log and gave him the call signs. I was unaware that the Controller in Charge and the other tower supervisor communicated that the left runway was closed. No one ever told me this. There was no strip brought to me; there were no X's put on the runway by the other tower; and it was not on the display. There was not a problem with the runway; but rather the taxiway away from the runway; so never did I think that it should be closed either. There are procedures that are set in place that would prevent this situation. They need to be followed. The center tower supervisor is supposed to put X's on the runway. Had that procedure been followed; the ground proximity radar would have alerted me to send the aircraft around. One recommendation I do have is have a shout line between the center tower and outer towers. When a runway is closed the other tower supervisor pushes the shout line and announces the runway number and closed. Same for when it opens.
I was working Ground Control and also Controller in Charge (CIC). I had to advise the next arrival that traffic had stopped; converse with Aircraft Y about any assistance; notify the Center Tower that taxiway M was blocked and we'd have to stop landing 9L right away; and coordinate with city to provide assistance to the disabled aircraft. During my call to the Center Tower supervisor I did not make it clear that we would let the last few aircraft land before closing Runway 9L. Center Tower coordinated with city to close Runway 9L while we still landed three more arrivals. This resulted in traffic landing Runway 9L while it was in a closed status. There were no vehicles in the vicinity of the runway; no incursions save for the fact that aircraft landed on a runway that was being shown as closed. I really only needed to close Taxiway M with the city.Recommendation would be to think things over a little better while considering options when there is a disabled aircraft near a runway exit. Ensure that closures are commensurate with the situation so that there is no confusion about what really needs to be closed.
ORD Local Controllers reported he allowed two aircraft to land on a runway unaware that a Supervisor had posted the runway as closed.