Hot Topics - Safety

Runway Incursions

The biggest disaster in the history of aviation happened on the ground. Two fully loaded planes collided in 1977 on a runway in the Canary Islands. Runway incursions have been on the rise. The National Transportation Safety Board has warned for years about the risk of mass casualties from runway crashes. New technologies are available but the United States has been slow to embrace them.

Managing Directors Jerry Cox and Jay Hamilton studied the issue and produced a video illustrating the problem and pointing to technological solutions. It was screened by the FAA Administrator and staff, federal lawmakers, airport executives, and other aviation industry officials.