MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, FLA. (WSVN) – As the National Transportation Safety Board\u2019s investigation into what led to an Amazon cargo plane to overshoot the runway and crash into two vehicles, killing five people, Miami International Airport\u2019s safety measures have fallen under intense scrutiny.<\/p>\n
During Monday\u2019s press conference, NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy pressed on the airport\u2019s lack of an Engineered Material Arresting System, or EMAS, which is a lightweight concrete material designed to fold under the weight of an airplane and help bring it to a swift, controlled stop at the end of a runway in the event it comes in too fast.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have an incredibly safe aviation system here in the United States. With that said, when a tragedy occurs, it\u2019s devastating,\u201d said Homendy.<\/p>\n
Over 70 airports across the country have implemented EMAS, including six in Florida. Among those in Florida that have it is Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.<\/p>\n
Although it\u2019s not required for MIA to install EMAS pads, in light of Sunday\u2019s deadly tragedy that also sent five other people to the hospital, many have begun to question why one of the largest airports in the country that serves as a critical stopping point for international travel does not have this runway safety feature implemented.<\/p>\n
\u201cShould the EMAS be everywhere and every airport? That will be a key part of our investigation,\u201d said Homendy.<\/p>\n
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, EMAS has stopped 26 aircrafts that have overrun runways since 1999.<\/p>\n
Most airports that have installed EMAS do so because they can\u2019t meet runway safety standards of 250 feet on each side of the runway\u2019s center and an additional 1,000 feet from the end of the runway.<\/p>\n
MIA\u2019s runways do meet these standards, thus making EMAS an optional safety measure for the airport.<\/p>\n
Officials from MIA released a statement regarding safety standards at the airport:<\/p>\n
\u201cMIA undergoes a comprehensive FAA safety inspection every year and has consistently met federal airfield safety requirements.\u201d<\/p>\n
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava addressed the absence of EMAS as the NTSB continues its probe of the incident.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe learned about that. We know that it\u2019s not a requirement and that we meet regulations but we\u2019re certainly interested to learn more so we can do everything possible for safety,\u201d said Levine Cava.<\/p>\n