Small Aircraft
Air Traffic Control Developmental
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 0
Training / Qualification; Confusion; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Taxiway
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Environment - Non Weather Related; Airport
[TRACON] called and informed me Aircraft X was inbound with a left main gear issue. I informed the CIC (Controller in Charge) of problem. Aircraft X called approximately 6 miles east of the field; I cleared Aircraft X to land. Aircraft X called on about 3 mile final and asked if we had the runway lights turned up; the pilot was searching for the runway. We turned the lights on the highest setting. I asked Aircraft X if he had the runway in sight; he said he has it now. On short final Aircraft X asked if he was ok where he is landing with the green center line lights; I told him affirmative. After Aircraft X landed the CIC informed me that he had landed on a Taxiway.I've been trying to think about what could have happened differently to prevent this from happening. Looking back; when Aircraft X was unsure where to land on short final I should have sent him around. I could have turned all of the airport lighting off except for the runway lights. It appeared he was on course for the runway. At night it is difficult to tell. We didn't know that the lowest settings would turn off the lights for the runway. We could have used the setting for one mile instead.
Aircraft landed on taxiway at night. Pilot asked Tower if they were lined up with the runway. At night with the current light settings it appeared to the reporter that the aircraft was aligned with the runway.