Status:	Final
Date:	10 DEC 1998
Time:	10:32
Type:	Boeing 767-332ER
Operator:	Delta Air Lines
Registration:	N193DN
C/n / msn:	28450/671
First flight:	1997-08-11 (1 year 4 months)
Engines:	2 Pratt & Whitney PW4060
Crew:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 12
Passengers:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 126
Total:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 138
Airplane damage:	None
Location:	Amsterdam-Schiphol Airport (AMS) (Netherlands)
Phase:	Takeoff (TOF)
Nature:	International Scheduled Passenger
Departure airport:	Amsterdam-Schiphol International Airport (AMS/EHAM), Netherlands
Destination airport:	Atlanta-William B. Hartsfield International Airport, GA (ATL/KATL), United States of America
Flightnumber:	39

Narrative:
At the time of the incident low visibility and a low cloudbase (7/8 overcast at 100 feet and a general visibility of 1700m in mist) made visual control from the tower impossible. Low visibility procedures were in force. Delta flight 39 had been cleared for take-off from runway 24. Almost at the same time a KLM Boeing 747, being towed and accompanied by a yellow van was cleared to cross runway 24 at the position of exit 2. During the take-off roll the pilots of DAL 39 observed the towed Boeing 747 crossing the runway. The take off was aborted and the aircraft brought to a standstill before reaching the position of the tow.

PROBABLE CAUSE:
The following causal factors were identified:
(i) Low visibility weather conditions which prevented Air Traffic Control to visually identify vehicles on the ground;
(ii) Inadequate information during the radio communications between tow (yellow van) and Tower;
(iii) Misinterpretation of position and movement of the tow;
(iv) Take-off clearance without positive confirmation that the runway was unobstructed;
(v) Insufficient teamwork and supervision.

Sources:
» RVTV Rapport 98-85 / S-14