Runway intrusions split-second decisions.(prevention of aircraft accidents) From: Flying Safety | Date: October 1, 2004| Author: Moening, Jeff; Wheatley, Charles | COPYRIGHT 2004 U.S. Air Force, Safety Agency. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan.  All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group.Copyright information

A mighty C-5 was on its takeoff roll. Five knots before go-speed (110 knots), the pilots saw a vehicle crossing 600 feet in front of them, left to right. They elected to continue the takeoff, since an abort would result in almost certain collision. The C-5 passed abeam the pickup at 20 feet AGL with the vehicle just getting off the runway. Have you seen yourself in this position? With the number of runway intrusions we have seen in the Air Force, you may have. We had 36 runway intru...