U.S. loses ground on runway safety: GAO report

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Airport congestion and gaps at the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration were blamed on Wednesday by a congressional watchdog for runway safety shortcomings that could lead to a serious airline accident.

The Government Accountability Office, the investigative arm of Congress, concluded that overall runway safety gains have eroded in recent years, and serious incidents, where collisions were barely avoided, continue and suggest a "high risk" for a catastrophe.

About a third of the most serious runway near-misses between fiscal year 2002 and 2007, which ended October 30, involved at least one jetliner, researchers said.

The worst incident this year involved two big commercial planes that missed each other by less than 100 feet on a Florida runway, according to government safety records.

There have been other close calls in Los Angles, Chicago, Philadelphia and Dallas-Fort Worth.

"The GAO findings are distressing," said Rep. James Oberstar, a Minnesota Democrat and chairman of the Transportation Committee in the House of Representatives.

The number of runway near-collisions, most of which involve small private planes, peaked in fiscal 2001, then declined a bit and leveled off for five years. Preliminary data show incidents heading back up to 370 in fiscal 2007. There were more than 400 in 2001.

In a statement, the FAA noted the most serious incidents have fallen by half since 2001, and dropped from 31 in fiscal 2006 to 24 in fiscal 2007. Eight involved commercial aircraft, the latest figures show.

There were 61 million takeoffs and landings last year.

"Reducing the risk of runway incursions is one of the FAA's top priorities. The agency has aggressively addressed the issue," the FAA said.

Investigators noted FAA action since 2001, but said the most effective steps were "lower cost ones," including updated airport markings, new lighting and signs.

GAO investigators said the main problems are airport congestion and shortcomings at the FAA.

Criticism included gaps in agency leadership, inaction and poor coordination on key safety goals, and schedule delays and cost overruns for technology designed to alert air traffic controllers to potential collisions.

The GAO also cited air traffic controller fatigue, a complaint amplified by the air traffic controllers union in its fight with the FAA over staffing levels.