CLEVELAND - - The BNN I-Team has actually discovered
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport has been purchased to fix a crucial piece of security devices which, for many years, has only been working a few of the time.
The Federal Aviation Administration wants the "crash phone" fixed.
That phone works as an emergency line and alert system that enables workers in the control tower to call for airport fire and rescue teams without dialing. It can be vital if there's a crash or other significant event, or if an airplane is in problem.
Records launched to the I-Team show the FAA wrote up the crash phone after a recent inspection.
An air traffic manager in the control tower also just recently sent an email to the chief of staff for Mayor Justin Bibb.
The memo stated no one can rely on an emergency situation line called the "crash phone." That serves as a method for the tower to call airport firemens without calling.
" The system is seriously unreliable," the air traffic supervisor wrote, adding that it's "continuously out of service."
" We never ever know if the system will work," she added.
The e-mail went on to state that this has been an "continuous concern for numerous years," and it's "only becoming worse."
After the recent inspection, the FAA noted the city has actually put in location a short-term fix, so no enforcement action was taken. But the city needs to have the system permanently repaired by March.
When we initially reported on this, we shared the details with a flight attendant.
" It's pretty frightening," she said. "We are safety professionals, and we expect our travelers to be safe. Knowing in the back of our head that our airport might not be completely safe? It's unfair."
We likewise turned to Robert Katz, a business pilot and flight trainer. He's been a pilot more than 40 years.
" It's as crucial as it gets," Katz said.
PHOTOS: Downed power line sets car lot on fire
He pointed out you can't depend on someone calling 911 if something occurs on the airfield.
That e-mail from the tower also stated: "The seconds that we squander might make all the difference."
Katz included, "It strikes me as unconscionable that something like this could fail the fractures. There requires to be an open line 24-7 between the tower and the facilities on the airport."
The Hopkins airport fire department sits at the end of a road practically in the shadow of the control tower.
The city also released a declaration previously.
" Safety and security are the primary priority at
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. We are aware of the e-mail you discussed. We take great pride in our relationship with our regulatory partners.
" We can assure you that the longer-term improvements to this system are in process and will be implemented as expeditiously as possible. The status of the procurement was much further along than specified in the e-mail you are referencing in your questions. Upgrades are being made to the present system, there has actually always been a contingency strategy in place, which is approved by the FAA."
Comments
Leave a Reply