Sat, Feb 14, 2009
Notes 16 Aircraft Slid Off Pavement In One-Month Period
At best, it's embarrassing; at worst, it's potentially
life-threatening. We're referring to when an airliner slides off a
slick runway or taxiway... and, the FAA says, it happened 16 times
at US airports over a 31-day period this winter.
On Friday, the agency issued its second Safety Alert for
Operators (SAFO) of 2009, emphasizing the importance of pilots' and
dispatchers' preflight and in-flight planning for winter airport
operations during taxi, takeoff, and landing.
The SAFO elaborates on the previously published, SAFO 08012
regarding ground operations during snow and ice conditions.
From December 17, 2008 to January 18, 2009, the FAA says it
received 16 incident reports of commercial or corporate airplanes
that departed airport paved surfaces during taxi, takeoff or
landing. These incidents involved factors such as loss of stopping
capability, loss of steering control, speeds greater than surface
friction conditions permitted, or reduced visibility of surface
markings and signage.
Investigation of these events indicated several factors were
involved in causing those incidents... and the SAFO offers
suggestions for pilots, airport personnel and air traffic
controllers to decrease the chances of an inadvertent runway or
taxiway excursion.
Those recommendations include better dissemination of NOTAM
information by pilots and dispatchers, to airport personnel and ATC
keeping a closer eye on deteriorating pavement conditions during
wintry weather.
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