What happens when you mix DAA, a ride-on lawnmower and a Boeing 757

[He3]

Serious Incident: Boeing 757-28A, C-GTBB, Dublin Airport, 29 May 2009: Report No 2010-002

The aircraft landed on Runway (RWY) 10 in EIDW in conditions of poor visibility. On roll-out, it passed a ride-on grass mower which was travelling eastwards along the runway approximately 18.5 metres (m) to the right of the centre-line. The driver of the mower was unaware that an aircraft was arriving until he heard it on the runway behind him. Prior to the incident, ATC was informed that all grass-cutting equipment had vacated the field.

Air Accident Investigation Unit Full List of Reports

Details have emerged of how a Boeing 757 with over 200 people on board came across a groundkeeper on a ride-on lawn mower trundling down the runway at Dublin Airport in the middle of the night.

The groundskeeper was not aware of the aircraft until he heard the roar of its engines racing down the runway behind him and the wings of the aircraft passed over him.

Today the Irish Air Accident Investigation Unit published its final report into the incident, which could have had catastrophic consequences.

RTÉ News: Report into close shave at Dublin Airport

[mollox]

So the answer to the question posed in the thread title is : Nothing, actually.

It was only Michael O'Leary scouting out alternative locations for his next bit of sh1t-stirring.
Michael didn't hear the incoming plane because his ears are for holding his glasses, not for listening.

[CookieMonster]

can you imagine the shock the groundskeeper got!

[He3]

Could have been worse.

JFK Airport: Boy Directs Air Traffic Control, Caught on Tape - ABC News

But the child at JFK ATC did not put a foot wrong....

[MsAnneThrope]

can you imagine the shock the groundskeeper got!

I'd say he was mowertified!

[Harmonica]

Could have been worse.

JFK Airport: Boy Directs Air Traffic Control, Caught on Tape - ABC News

But the child at JFK ATC did not put a foot wrong....

Weren't we told recently air traffic control was a highly skilled job? If a kid can do it....

[Libero]

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[FONT=Arial][SIZE=3]There I was, coming in to land, when all of a sudden I noticed an aircraft on the runway![/SIZE][/FONT]

[hiding behind a poster]

Weren't we told recently air traffic control was a highly skilled job? If a kid can do it....

It is. The kid had their father, a qualified controller, "miked-up" in position, and able to transmit on the tower frequency. It was a quiet period, and he obviously told the kid something like "when I press this button, say "United 552, cleared take-off Runway 09R, (or whatever the details were) contact departure". If the kid messed up the transmission, Daddy could step in immediately.

It probably wasn't the most professional thing in the world to do, but to be honest the media reaction has been way over the top.

[southwestkerry]

Why ooohh why cant something exciting like that ever happen to me.

[Edo]

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[FONT=Arial][SIZE=3]There I was, coming in to land, when all of a sudden I noticed an aircraft on the runway![/SIZE][/FONT]

Is that the newest cut price/cost effective addition to the Aer Lingus Transatlantic fleet?

Well they wont need Hangar 6 to service that then!