I know nothing about air traffic control, so maybe I don’t understand some things. But I was shocked to learn that there are no air traffic control people in that airport in the middle of the night. Which makes me wonder, why are airplanes apparently allowed to land at an unstaffed airfield.
Considering it was a foggy night, there were no air traffic control people at that airport, the runway lights were not working, add it all up, and we see a tragic accident.
It also looks like the ILS wasn’t working, as a glide slope warning would have sounded. Also means no landing should have been atemptedsue to conditions.
Tragic Accident,
Two Miles Short at A Small field.
“Only 10% of airports actually have air traffic control …
Feb 26, 2025 · Of the 5,100 public airports across the country, only about 10% have towers staffed by people who direct the flow of traffic.”
“Which makes me wonder, why are airplanes apparently allowed to land at an unstaffed airfield.”
I have landed at many installed airports.
I have landed at many unstaffed airports.
“I know nothing about air traffic control,”
He was cleared to land by regional ATC. No tower assistance required.
“Which makes me wonder, why are airplanes apparently allowed to land at an unstaffed airfield.”
Happens all over the country. Thousands of airfields, I would dare say most have NO tower or staff at all beyond maybe a fuel desk. CTAF frequency, etc all work well. But at night, below minimums, it was appalling decision making.
No doubt feeling pressure because that’s where his next passengers were going to meet him.
“the runway lights were not working”
Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport maintains portions of the airfield lighting system, including runway edge lights, also known as runway lights. The Airport confirms the runway lights were operational at the time of the incident.
https://www.insidesandiego.org/operations-overview-montgomery-gibbs-executive-airport
If you insist on violating the approach procedures, what difference does it make to have the tower personnel there? No radar, just eyes. You pork up the approach, you may make it, but your chances drop. No one in the tower, ever landed an aircraft.
In northern New England there is no evening night air traffic control. All the airports are handled out of Boston.
Perhaps Bangor might have a guy on.