Revamping Runway Safety: NTSB Calls for FAA Overhaul

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has urged the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to reassess how it evaluates runway conditions during periods of heavy rainfall. This call for action highlights the risk of aircraft skidding off runways, as seen in 11 incidents investigated by the NTSB from 2008 to 2022.

A notable example is the 2019 Boeing 737 overrun incident in Jacksonville, Florida, attributed to substantial braking friction loss caused by heavy rain on an ungrooved runway. The aircraft, arriving from Guantanamo Bay with 142 passengers, skidded into the St. Johns River.

The NTSB also proposes the FAA to issue revised rainfall intensity descriptors for aviation reports, addressing current thresholds. Stressing the need for accurate friction calculations, the NTSB warns that the existing model may underestimate required landing distances on wet runways, posing overrun risks.

(With inputs from agencies.)