NTSB · Safety Recommendation
Safety Recommendation A-93-084
Recommendation
THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: INFORM AIRPORT OPERATORS OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THIS ACCIDENT AND ALERT THEM OF THE POTENTIAL FOR EROSION NEAR UNDERGROUND PIPELINES, AND URGE THEM TO RESTRICT OPERATIONS ON ANY AREAS THAT ARE IDENTIFIED AS POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS UNTIL THEY ARE REPAIRED.
Safety Issue and Context
ON MARCH 26, 1991, A BEECH F33A, N7224L, FELL THROUGH THE TAXIWAY PAVEMENT WHILE TAXIING AT PEACHTREE DEKALB AIRPORT IN CHAMBLEE, GEORGIA. THE PILOT STATED THAT AS HE WAS TAXIING TO THE RUNWAY, THE LEFT MAIN WHEEL FELL THROUGH THE PAVEMENT, AND THE AIRPLANE MADE A VIOLENT LEFT TURN AND CAME TO A STOP. AFTER EXITING THE AIRPLANE, THE PILOT SAID HE COULD SEE THAT THE PAVEMENT HAD GIVEN WAY AND THAT THE WHEEL HAD FALLEN THROUGH THE HOLE IN THE PAVEMENT. THE AIRPLANE WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED, BUT THE PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE NOT INJURED.
Response History
December 28, 1993 · NTSB Correspondence · FAA
THE BOARD NOTES THAT THE FAA AIRPORT DIVISION MANAGERS WERE ASKED TO CIRCULATE THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THIS ACCIDENT TO THE AIRPORT OPERATORS WITHIN THEIR REGION AND TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO CONDUCT PERIODIC INSPECTIONS OF AND REPAIR, AS NECESSARY, THE PIPELINES LOCATED BENEATH THE PAVEMENT SURFACES. ADDITIONALLY, THE FAA SENT A LETTER TO THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE AVIATION OFFICIALS REQUESTING ITS ASSISTANCE IN DISSEMINATING THIS INFORMATION TO THE AIRPORT OPERATORS. BASED ON THIS INFORMATION, THE BOARD CLASSIFIES RECOMMENDATION A-93-84 "CLOSED--ACCEPTABLE ACTION."
October 7, 1993 · Recipient Response · FAA
ON SEPTEMBER 9, 1993, FAA AIRPORTS DIVISION MANAGERS WERE ASKED TO MAKE THE INFORMATION SURROUNDING THIS ACCIDENT AVAILABLE TO THE AIRPORT OPERATORS WITHIN THEIR REGION. THE AIRPORTS DIVISION MANAGERS WERE ALSO ASKED TO ENCOURAGE THEIR AIRPORT OPERATORS TO CONDUCT PERIODIC INSPECTIONS OF THE PIPELINES LOCATED BENEATH THE PAVEMENT SURFACES AND TO CLOSE AREAS WHERE EROSION HAS OCCURRED UNTIL THE PAVEMENT CAN BE REPAIRED. ALSO ON SEPTEMBER 9, 1993, THE FAA SENT A LETTER TO THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE AVIATION OFFICIALS REQUESTING ITS ASSISTANCE IN DISSEMINATING THIS INFORMATION TO THE AIRPORT OPERATORS.
I BELIEVE THAT THE ACTION TAKEN BY THE FAA FULLY ADDRESSES THIS SAFETY ISSUE, AND I CONSIDER THE FAA'S ACTION TO BE COMPLETED ON THIS RECOMMENDATIONS.