FAA investigates close calls at Orlando Executive Airport

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Three close calls in a single spot on a runway at Orlando Executive Airport, coupled with a history of so-called runway incursions since 2001, prompted federal intervention on safety at the airfield, Eyewitness News has learned.

"I've lived here so long that the planes flying overhead barely register,” said resident Michael McLean.

He told Channel 9's Field Sutton that he's never worried much about a plane crashing or careening off the runway.

McLean said he was surprised to find out there have been 53 runway incursions involving planes or trucks in the wrong spot since 2001. Incursions are logged by the FAA whenever a plane or vehicle crosses into a runway while it's in use by another plane.

The majority of those 53 incidents were caused by pilots simply making a mistake, according to the Federal Aviation Authority Runway Safety Office.

The airport has tried signs and paint to ease confusion. But a report obtained by Eyewitness News said Orlando Executive Airport has become an "FAA airport of interest," with "hot spots" identified where problems keep popping up.

Airport leaders have asked for federal grants totaling up to $10 million to reconfigure the way things work on the ground. Leaders hope that by adding new pavement and perhaps new technology. might be the key to keeping pilots and residents safer.

If that grant gets approved in Washington, D.C., the design work could start this October and construction work would begin sometime after that.

Cox Media Group