PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior
Air Traffic Control Developmental
Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
General Declared Emergency
Human Factors; Procedure; Aircraft
Prior to the event; Tower CIC received a phone call from the FBO saying she was in contact with an aircraft that was an emergency and lost all electrical. CIC called downstairs to report to OSIC. We scanned the D-BRITE and did not notice any unidentified targets that were in the vicinity headed inbound. A little while later; we noticed an EM (7700) alert on the screen; but no corresponding target. I as Local and Ground Controller combined; scanned across the airport and noticed a small aircraft sitting on Taxiway L; clear of and appearing to have just landed Runway 14/32. Tower CIC called the FBO and they confirmed that it was the emergency aircraft. We relayed taxi instructions through the phone and the aircraft taxied to the ramp without incident. Traffic was about 20 miles out for the visual approach to Runway 32. Better communication would have been helpful. The FBO provided the pilot's cell phone number; but I was not aware of anyone trying to make contact with him. Also; we could have possibly gotten more information as to a location of the aircraft through the FBO since they were talking to the pilot. Any additional information would have helped greatly since I was not aware of the aircraft's location until he had landed and was sitting on the taxiway. With better information; we could have been prepared and made certain the runway was clear and had CFR vehicles ready alongside the runway. We were lucky no one was departing. A delay of 5 minutes could also have been tragic.
I was Tower CIC when I took a call on the outside phone line in the Tower. It was someone from a FBO explaining to me that they were in cell phone contact with an aircraft; a PA28; who had experienced a radio failure and was inbound to [the airport]; unable to communicate with us. I took the information; including the pilot's cell phone number; and also suggested that if the pilot should call back to issue the TRACON's outside phone number. The caller reported that the pilot indicated that he was about 45 minutes out. I immediately called down to the TRACON and explained the situation to OSIC and gave him all of the information I had; including the pilots cell phone number. After about 20-25 minutes passed; I received another call from the FBO. A different person now stated that the PA28 had a complete electrical failure and would land at our airport. The caller also stated that the pilot seemed panicked and he/she couldn't understand much else about what he was saying. Again I called down to the TRACON to relay the new information. I prepared the light gun and shined green randomly at the approach ends of our runways we continued to scan for the aircraft. We briefly (5-10 seconds) heard either an ELT of a RF tone; we were not sure which. Suddenly the Local Controller looked out and said 'hey who is that guy on (Taxiway) Lima?' Lima is a taxiway about 3;000 FT from the runway threshold. We looked over and a small aircraft was sitting on Lima; short of Taxiway Delta and clear of Runway 14. I then called the FBO and they reported that they were in contact with the aircraft; and indeed it was the PA28. I coordinated with the Local Control/Ground Control and had the FBO issue taxi instructions to the craft. Once the PA28 was safely on the ramp; I asked the FBO to have the pilot call the TRACON. At no time during this incident did I; as Tower CIC receive any instructions or guidance other that to 'keep him apprised of any developments'. I later found out that no action had been taken to notify the airport operator of the incident; nor were we in the Tower directed to in any way 'sanitize' the airport or prepare for the PA28 to arrive. I think that the FAA supervisor; once notified of this incident should have taken stronger action including: 1) Calling the pilot on his cell phone to gather information and provide assistance. 2) Providing clear guidance to Tower and RADAR controllers to prepare for this aircraft; including taking precautions and making provisions for its arrival 3) Notifying the airport operator and its CFR of the situation. I did only what I was trained to do (inform management and defer to their 'expertise'). I regret not taking more forceful independent action on my own.
Tower Controller described an emergency event resulting in an unnoticed landing of an aircraft with total electrical failure.  The reporter chronicled a significant lack of communication/coordination within ATC.