O'Hare Controllers Cite Dangers Associated With Increased GA Traffic

The pilot of a 747 on rollout suddenly spots a single-engine aircraft crossing the runway in front of him. Jamming the pedals to the floor, he burns out the jumbo jet's brakes, trying to slow from a landing speed of 160 mph in time to avoid hitting the small aircraft still on the runway. The collision is avoided. The jumbo jet goes into the shop for a brake job.

It's just one of several harrowing miscues at Chicago's O'Hare Airport -- a facility that has become increasingly overcrowded since Mayor Richard Daley destroyed the runway at Meigs Field on April 1. At the same time, Chicago aviation officials moved the Signature FBO to make room for a terminal expansion. Now, GA aircraft have to cross two active runways to get to parking.

"The decision to relocate Signature is an accident waiting to happen, and it will happen," said Craig Burzych, O'Hare president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association.

In all, O'Hare controllers report five mishaps in the past year. Even though there's been a seven-percent decline in GA traffic at O'Hare since the end of March, one FAA manager wrote in a June 3 memo something needs to be done - and fast. Last week, a Cessna taxied onto an active runway without clearance. Thankfully, there was no traffic on the runway at the time. Back in May, a controller allowed a corporate jet to taxi onto the active -- right in the path of a departing Lufthansa flight. The commercial aircraft crew saved everyone involved by standing on the brakes and aborting the take-off.

What does the Chicago Department of Aviation have to say about all this? One spokeswoman said the city simply doesn't see any problem here.

FMI: www.ohare.com