FAA Looking Into Two Incidents Involving Runway Lights

As the FAA began a probe into two incidents involving runway lights at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York (KJFK), the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced that airport manager Gennaro “Jerry” Spampanato was stepping down from that post.

Spampanato, 75, had worked at the PANYNJ for 20 years, according to a report appearing in Bloomberg. His resignation came three days after the port authority was notified of the probe.

The incidents both involved airplanes dislodging runway centerline lights during either takeoff or landing. The FAA established strength requirements for such lights in 2009 to prevent FOD incidents.

The FAA had asked Spampanato for a written statement to include details of the inspection and maintenance procedures for runway lights at KJFK, as well as copies of self-inspection records.

Bloomberg reports that the most recent inspection in May shows that all lights are currently operating within FAA guidelines. PANYNJ has also established a task force to beef up its maintenance procedures, and invited the FAA to appoint members to the body.

FMI: www.panynj.gov