Tower manager details Category D runway incursion; board hears three accidents this year

Scott Fansler, the air traffic manager at New Smyrna Beach, briefed the Airport Advisory Board Oct. 27 on safety events at the field, describing a recent runway incursion and multiple accidents this year.

“My name is Scott Fansler. I am the air traffic manager at New Smyrna Beach,” Fansler said during his presentation. He described a runway incursion that occurred roughly two months earlier: the pilot failed to read back a hold-short clearance, crossed the hold-short line for Runway 2 and stopped about an airplane length past the short bars. The controller observed the movement, issued a stop, and the aircraft did not enter the active pavement. Fansler said the incursion was recorded as a Category D event — “little or no risk” — but his internal review identified a controller performance issue that will be documented and forwarded as part of the incident package.

Fansler also summarized three accidents this year involving single-engine airplanes and engine failures — two on the airport and one off the airport — and a July runway excursion in which the pilot ground-looped off Runway 25; there were no injuries in that event. He credited the airport’s fire and rescue response, saying crews were typically “Johnny on the spot” and that response time was within minutes for the incidents discussed.

Why it matters: The board added a recurring safety item to its agenda so members can track incidents and the effectiveness of response, oversight and training. Fansler said the facility will assemble incident packages (tapes, statements, transcripts) and forward them to the FAA and other authorities as required.

What’s next: Board members asked staff only to continue quarterly safety reporting and requested follow-up on any outstanding determinations resulting from the incident packages.