PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Time Pressure
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical; Ground Incursion Runway
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft
A PA28 was departing Runway 23. On upwind the pilot reported engine problems and stated he was landing Runway 10. Runway 10 was closed with personnel on the runway. I told the aircraft to 'proceed as requested' and instructed the Ground Controller to get the people off of Runway 10. At the time the pilot requested to use Runway 10 I was on the crash phone calling the alert and I was also trying to get the people off of the runway. The pilot; who I believed was in training; was on short final. I use 'proceed as requested' as a quick response to a low time pilot. I think the pilot was requesting a landing clearance. I was not going to issue a clearance to a closed runway. I did not use .65 phraseology about closed runways because at the time I did not think the pilot would understand.
A departing aircraft reported engine trouble and intent to land on a closed runway occupied by personnel. Tower Controller took action to remove personnel and informed the aircraft to 'proceed as requested.'