If your vehicle becomes disabled on a taxiway, which steps are recommended?

• A. Notify ATC, activate hazard lights, and move to a safe location off the active path if possible
• B. Stop the vehicle and wait for assistance
• C. Move the vehicle to a safe location off the active path if possible
• D. Exit the vehicle and stand by the control tower

Answer: (A)

When a vehicle becomes disabled on a taxiway, the top priority is safety through visibility, communication, and removing the obstruction from the active path if it can be done safely. The best approach is to notify ATC immediately so controllers know your exact location and can coordinate traffic, activate hazard lights to alert pilots and other ground vehicles of your presence, and, if it can be done safely, move the vehicle off the active taxi path to clear the route for approaching aircraft.

This sequence matters because ATC needs to be aware of the situation to prevent collisions and reroute traffic as needed. Hazard lights make you conspicuous in low-visibility conditions and signal that you’re a blocking factor. Moving away from the active path reduces the risk of a collision, but only if you can do so without creating additional hazards.

Stoppin g and waiting for help without informing ATC can leave controllers unaware of your location and cause further delays or hazards on a busy taxiway. Exiting the vehicle on an active taxiway is dangerous and not advisable; stay with the vehicle and await ATC guidance.