Wrong Surface Landings Occur At A Rate Of Approximately One Every Other Day, According To The Agency

In an effort to raise pilots’ awareness of wrong surface events, the FAA will host special Runway Safety Action Team (RSAT) meetings at Philadelphia International Airport (KPHL) on Jan. 9 and Nashville International Airport (KBNA) on Jan. 30, and is asking pilots who are based at or frequent these airports to attend.

Wrong surface landings occur at a rate of approximately one every other day, according to the agency.

The FAA wants to increase understanding of wrong surface events – taking off or landing on the wrong runway, a taxiway or at the wrong airport. About 86 percent of wrong surface events are attributed to general aviation.

An Aug. 10, 2018, incident at PHL demonstrated the importance of FAA and industry efforts to prevent wrong surface events, when a Gulfstream IV, on a visual approach and cleared to land on Runway 35, lined up on an adjacent, occupied taxiway instead. The G-IV pilots executed a go-around, overflying four airliners – one by only about 200 feet.

“It’s important to understand these events can happen to pilots of all experience and certificate levels,” said Alex Gertsen, NBAA’s director of airports and ground infrastructure. “The perception is that only small aircraft operated by low-experience pilots make these errors, but the event at PHL occurred with Part 135 qualified commercial, professional pilots in the cockpit.”

The FAA recommends operators and pilots develop and implement best practices to be sure they line up on proper surfaces to prevent wrong surface landings and departures. Pilots are encouraged to view the recently released FAA video Wrong Surface Landings, which discusses the precursors of wrong surface landings and provides several risk mitigation measures.

Please RSVP as soon as possible for the KPHL meeting with Ryan Heeralall.

Please RSVP for the KBNA meeting with William King by Jan. 21.

(Source: NBAA news release. Image provided)

FMI: www.nbaa.org, www.faa.gov