Recommends Sharing Graphical As Well As Textual Data

A notice posted on the FAA's website last week is asking airport managers to improve information sharing on airport construction affecting aircraft operations.

Some see this as a reaction to last summer's deadly accident in Lexington, KY where Comair flight 5191 crashed on takeoff from the wrong runway. Many have speculated airport construction projects contributed to the crew's confusion while taxiing which may have led to their attempt to depart from a too-short runway.

In the notice, the FAA said, "Due to the rapidly changing conditions that can occur on an airport when runways and taxiways are closed for maintenance or construction, aircrews may have a hard time keeping up with these changes as they occur. In many cases, the NOTAM system may be inadequate."

The agency recommends information, to supplement NOTAMs be shared in both text and graphic form.

The notice continues, "With today’s technology, there is little to no reason why an airport operator cannot supply the air carriers and FBOs on the airport with the latest and most current information on runway and taxiway closures. This should be done graphically as well as textually."

Flight 5191's crew did have airport diagrams aboard the aircraft, but they were out of date, and they didn't reflect the on-going construction at Lexington's Blue Grass Airport. Crews did have the NOTAM issued by the FAA with the latest information on construction at the airport.

The FAA's notice added, "In many cases, pure text can be difficult for people to envision exactly what is being described. Whereas, using a picture or diagram that pinpoints the exact location of the closure is much more clear. The dissemination of the diagrams can be done by email, by establishing a website that can be accessed by the tenants, or by hand delivery. The possibilities are limited only by imagination. But the result is a much more safe environment."

An example in the notice shows an airport with the areas under construction clearly marked -- in graphic form.

FAA spokeswoman Laura Brown says the latest recommendation is not related to the crash of flight 5191. She told the Lexington Herald-Leader, "It is not the impetus for this."

The NTSB has not released its final report on Comair flight 5191 in which 49 people lost their lives.

FMI: Click here to read the notice