Cites Obstructions In The Airspace As Safety Hazards To Night Landings

The FAA has halted night IFR landings at Daniel Field in Augusta, GA because of tall trees, light poles, and other obstructions in the approach path.

The airport (KDNL) is managed by Augusta Aviation, which the Augusta Chronicle reports has spent more than $30,000 to conduct land surveys, install hazard lights on buildings and light poles near the airport, and remove 30 trees from the approach path. But the FAA still says night IFR approaches cannot be conducted safely at the airport. VFR operations are still allowed.

The obstructions were noted during a "periodic review of instrument flight procedures at Daniel Field," according to FAA spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen. But because the case is still under review, she was unable to answer further questions about the situation.

Augusta Aviation president Steven Gay said that they have identified most of the obstructions, but the FAA says there is one more ... but has not told the airport what it is. He said that airport officials thought all of the agency's criteria had been met in the past, only to be informed out that they haven't met all the criteria. "It's been a very frustrating thing for us," Gay told the paper.

Becky Shealy, vice president of business development for Augusta Aviation, said that there have been more than 20 flights that have been diverted to Augusta Regional Airport, about nine miles away, since the ban went into effect this summer. While the airport is a small GA facility, it is used by many business entities and medical institutions, including organs being transported for transplant. Many of those flights are at night and under IFR flight plans, she said.

FMI: www.faa.gov