On Thu, 22 Feb 2007 05:19:05 -0800, Tony wrote:

Still, the PIC should have, and I think by the lessons learned, he and
future pilots in similiar circumstances, will be, mor assertive.

It's a tough call for the pilot. He or she has no way to know that using
17 isn't a serious safety hazard for some reason. At least, that would be
my first thought upon hearing "unable" from the controller in this
circumstance.

Now, I cannot imagine what that would leave *all* runways 17
hazardous, but I expect that it's possible.

Given time, I'd "negotiate" to determine what presented the least hazard:
landing on a runway with a problem or circling and spending more fuel.
That requires asking about the hazards of the runway. Given the distance,
it appears the pilot had the wall time to ask, but - not knowing anything
about landing a Heavy - I don't know how much free time he or she would
have.

- Andrew