Widebody Transport
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Distraction; Confusion
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Airport; Environment - Non Weather Related
We were about 80 NM from TJBQ airport cleared direct to the IAF for the RNAV RW08 Approach. We learned from the ATIS that the tower was closing before we arrived. The tower is usually open for our arrivals. We briefed non-tower operations including the control of the runway lighting. We were cleared for the RNAV RW 08 approach in VFR conditions. We switched to the advisory frequency and reported our position at several points on the approach as per out Non-Tower procedures. We used the runway light activation procedures; but it was hard to tell if the lights were on or not. They appeared to be on very dim. We discussed that they may be on low because of the power problems after the hurricane. We continued our descent and could clearly see the airport environment. The runway was in sight; the construction lights were in sight and we could see side lighting down the entire runway; but with longer than expected spacing.As we landed; we realized that what we were seeing was the runway markers; which were outlining the runway. We rolled to the end and taxied in under our landing lights. With the clear; moonlit night and the bright lights of the airport construction lights; the runway was clearly visible. What we saw outlining the runway was actually the runway remaining markers; which framed the runway. We had plenty of lighting from our runway and taxi lights to taxi to our ramp. About 15 minutes after parking; a Company maintenance person came up to the aircraft and told us that the tower had run the generator that powers the runway lights out of diesel fuel. They switched tanks and the runway lights came back on.We had landed on this same runway 2 nights before. The tower had advised us that there may be problems with the lights. The tower closed earlier than usual and did not make sure the generators for the lights would be operational for the rest of the evening. There is a lot of construction lighting around the runway and with the bright moonlit night; it was hard to tell what lights we were exactly seeing. The outline of the runway was clearly visible along with edge reflectors from the distance markers. At no time was the runway environment in question and the visibility for landing was almost as good as if in daylight. All runway markings and edges were clearly visible. There was some confusion as to what lights were working; but a safe approach and landing was never in question.Considering the hurricane damage; construction and other issues currently at this airport I think provisions should be made to always have someone in the control tower when commercial traffic is scheduled in. Also making sure that the backup generator systems are never in a position to run out of fuel. With a little planning and coordination; this would not have happened.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
Widebody Transport flight crew reported an anomaly with the runway lighting at the Aguadilla; Puerto Rico (TJBQ) airport. The lighting problem was a result of backup electrical power issues due to a recent hurricane.