Short Final

Monday, March 21, 2011 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Air traffic control at Isla Grande airport alerted a pilot on final approach about an iguana crossing the runway.
ATC provided an update, confirming the iguana had cleared the runway and was no longer a factor for landing.
The pilot found this incident to be a unique and humorous radio exchange, a first in their experience.

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While on final, RNAV 9, into Isla Grande airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico recently:

Tower:
“Mooney 5 Triple 8 Quebec, be advised: Iguana crossing the runway, south to north, midfield.”

Then, on short final:

Tower:
“Double 8 Quebec, iguana no factor. He’s crossed the white line on the north side.”

I’ve heard a lot of funny stuff on the radio, but that was a first!

Wallace Pond
via e-mail