Jet Stopped By Engineered Arresting System

A Gulfstream G-II (file photo of type below) with five pax, including Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriquez, and two crew aboard fell through pavement in the overrun area of the runway at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, CA late Friday morning.

According to the Associated Press the crew reported no problems prior to landing. Reportedly, the runway was dry.

Mixed reports make it unclear if the G-II was on the landing roll out, or whether the crew was attempting to taxi off the runway when the jet fell thru pavement designed to collapse.

Photos of the accident show only the Gulfstream's nose gear in the overrun area. Officials report only minor damage to the aircraft.

The Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS) installed at the end of Burbank's runway is designed to collapse. Airport planners count on EMAS to slow or stop an aircraft unable to stop before the end of the runway. Drag is dramatically increased as an aircraft's tires push thru the collapsing concrete.

The NTSB is already on the scene, but exactly why the pilot strayed into the overrun area isn't known. Officials say they will review cockpit voice and flight data recorders during the investigation. 

Despite the abrupt stop in the arresting area, none of the passengers or crew was injured.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov, www.esco.zodiac.com/