Medium Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turboprop Eng
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 45; Flight Crew Total 10850; Flight Crew Type 600
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Incursion Runway
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Rejected Takeoff
Human Factors; Procedure
During taxi to the active runway normal communications with Ground Control did not reveal any communications with ground or maintenance vehicles. Taxiway A at the end of Runway 1 was closed and Taxiway B is approximately 500 FT down the departure end of Runway 1. The pilot not flying advised the Tower that we would like to back taxi for the full length of the runway. The Tower Controller stated to us; 'cleared to back taxi; turn right heading 030 after departure; cleared for takeoff.' The back taxi to the displaced threshold; turn around and lineup at the threshold took approximately 45 seconds. Final checks were completed and the autothrottle system was engaged. As we began the takeoff roll I verbally announced the spotting of a tractor to the left. It was on the west side of the runway on Taxiway D moving east toward our active takeoff runway and I observed its speed and lack of deceleration. As the tractor entered the runway we were at approximately 70 KTS and 1;000 FT into the takeoff roll when I determined to abandon the takeoff and the pilot not flying announced 'abort; abort; abort.' We began a very benign discontinuation of the takeoff. The tractor cleared the runway to the east side as the pilot not flying made the first radio call to the Tower to advise him of our aborted takeoff. There was no initial response and a few seconds later a second call was made. The Tower Controller then responded with an apology and clearance to make a 180 turn to back taxi. During the back taxi the Controller mentioned he had lost track of the tractor while he was on the phone to Approach Control. We were re-cleared for takeoff which was uneventful. I believe this was one Controller working both Ground and Tower frequencies and responsibilities. I believe that the ideal weather conditions and relatively overall low traffic volume contributed to the Controller losing his vigilance and becoming distracted by a phone call.
A Captain rejected the takeoff on MKC Runway 1 from about 70 KTS as a tractor entered the runway.