FAA Investigates Tuesday's Failure

Officials at Reno-Tahoe International Airport are still fuming after Tuesday's failure of the airport's new ILS system, which caused five flight diversions and created a ripple effect throughout the western US air traffic system.

"This is completely and absolutely unacceptable," airport spokesman Brian Kulpin told the Associated Press. "The FAA has a lot to answer for."

That's because the FAA paid to have the new Mark 20A ILS installed at RNO, and is also responsible for keeping the system maintained and functioning. The ILS was back in operation Wednesday afternoon, by which time conditions at the airport had improved enough to allow VFR landing operations.

The whole thing smacks a little too much of deja vu for Reno airport officials, as the new system -- which was installed just before Thanksgiving last year -- replaced an older, trouble-prone ILS that had failed four times in the preceding five years.

FAA crews are still working to determine why the system -- which is also used in other areas that see heavy winter conditions such as Chicago, Buffalo, Minneapolis and Fargo -- chose Tuesday's relatively light snowstorm to go quiet.

"There's no reason it shouldn't operate in snow, let alone two inches," Kulpin said. "We're not talking major snow here. It's a brand new system. The people deserve better."

FMI: www.airnav.com/airport/KRNO