# NTSB Incident OPS16IA004
> **AIRBUS A321 231** · 2016-01-29 · Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA · —
## Event
- **NTSB number:** OPS16IA004
- **Event ID:** 20160201X52407
- **Type:** Incident
- **Date:** 2016-01-29
- **Location:** Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- **Coordinates:** 26.071666, -80.149719
## Injuries
- **Highest injury:** —
- **Fatal:** 0
- **Serious:** 0
- **Minor:** 0
- **Uninjured:** 0
- **Total aboard:** 0
## Aircraft
- **Make:** AIRBUS
- **Model:** A321 231
- **Registration:** N587NK
- **FAR Part:** 121
- **Engines:** 2
- **Damage:** —
## Conditions
- **Light:** NITE
- **Weather:** VMC
## Probable cause

The air traffic controller's failure to ensure the runway surface area was clear of vehicles before clearing an aircraft for takeoff. Also causal was the flight crew's decision to initiate a takeoff while the Runway Status Lights (RWSL) Takeoff Hold Lights (THLs) were activated. Contributing to the incident was the lack of a standard procedure for vehicle operators to request runway clearances and resultant "hear back/read back" error between the vehicle operator and the air traffic controller.

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*Source: [NTSB CAROL](https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/basic-search?source=ntsb&type=event&ntsb_number=OPS16IA004) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*