At approximately 1930 Eastern Summer Time (ESuT), the tug driver
called the International Terminal Apron Surface Movement Controller
(SMC) and requested push-back clearance and clearance to tow the
Fokker F-28 VH-EWG to the domestic terminal. The tug driver was
advised that a clearance would be unavailable for about 30 minutes
pending the arrival of VIP traffic and to call SMC on Sydney Ground
frequency 121.7 MHz for clearance.
Airbus A320, VH-HYC, received a taxi clearance at 1931. The
aircraft, scheduled to fly to Perth, had an operational requirement
to use runway 34.
At 2007, the tug driver called SMC and requested clearance for
pushback and tow from bay 3 at the international terminal to bay
17D at the domestic terminal. Approval was given to push back and
the driver was instructed to report when ready to tow. Two minutes
later the tug driver reported ready to tow. SMC cleared the
aircraft to tow.
As the F-28 under tow proceeded along taxiway Charlie heading
east towards runway 34, the SMC requested a clearance from the
Aerodrome Controller for the F-28 to cross the runway. The
Aerodrome Controller refused the request and advised the SMC to
expect extended delays due to a backlog of departing traffic.
Runway 34 was the only runway available as the route of the VIP
motorcade temporarily closed runway 07.
The Aerodrome Controller, after visually scanning runway 34 to
ensure the runway was clear, issued a take-off clearance to
VH-HYC.
As VH-HYC approached rotate speed, the crew sighted the F-28
under tow, crossing the runway ahead. The takeoff was continued as
it was apparent to the crew their aircraft would reach a safe
height before VH-HYC crossed taxiway Charlie. The crew then called
the Aerodrome Controller and advised that an F-28 under tow had
crossed runway 34. The transmission was the first indication to the
five Air Traffic Services persons on duty in the tower that a
runway incursion had taken place. The crew of VH-HYC reported that
their aircraft was about 600 ft above the runway when it overflew
taxiway Charlie.