Originally published at: EMAS Halts Two Runway Overruns in 24 Hours - AVweb
Recent incidents highlight safety system’s role in stopping aircraft before disaster
EMAS is clearly a good idea for stopping aircraft overrunning a runway but I hope there is an investigation in to both of these incidents because it seems the pilots didn’t do any runway length calculations and I wonder if there was pressure - potentially self imposed pressure - to complete the mission.
The aircraft at PWK wasn’t stopped by the EMAS. It was stopped by the fence.
1 Like
“It was stopped by the fence.” After it went through the EMAS which slowed it down enough that it didn’t breach the fence by much.
Look at the track it took after the end of the runway. EMAS did not stop the aircraft.
Look at the track it took after the end of the runway. EMAS did not stop the aircraft.
It didn’t stop the aircraft. But its almost guaranteed the aircraft would have ended up in the road had it not gone through the EMAS first.
If it had gone into the road, there is high probability that someone would have gotten hurt.
Sounds like extra spending and scientific research that the current administration would cut
1 Like
Over running a runway suggests the thrust reversers were either not used or not used enough. So, pilot error. All turbine/jet engines have thrust reversers these days. So no excuse, unless the airline bought something it should not have purchased; without thrust reversers. This is probably a training over sight. No pilot has to use thrust reversers on a simulator? Any bets? Airlines short sited again, and not pilot error, no training, or not enough training. One would expect pilots able to use thrust reversersers in their sleep. For any passenger who has never experienced thrust reversers, it is quite startling the first time; where one gets their moneys worth.
1 Like
@Terry_Welander . Please go away. Saying that “All turbine/jet engines have thrust reversers these days” is irresponsible. Even an armchair QB sym pilot would know that is not true. The pilot error was touching down 2500’ or so on a 5000’ wet runway (as I understand it). And @Terry_Welander, you should immediately have your own opinion vector in thrust reverse.
And whose insurance will pay to fill in the tire tracks in the special surface?
Aeroplane’s, pilots’ individual, or aeroport?
Or everyone because it is very expensive.
From the report in FLYING (link embedded in this article):
Runway technology contributed to a positive outcome Wednesday when a Gulfstream G150 went off the end of the runway at Chicago Executive Airport (KPWK) but was brought to a stop by an Engineered Material Arresting System (EMAS) before it went through a fence and onto a busy street.
So after it came to a stop someone deliberately took it through the fence and on to the street?
9/6/2025
Mr. H,
I do not know where you get your opinions, but I stand by mine.
Nearly all turbine powered aircraft have thrust reversers.
And if they do not have thrust reversers, it is the airlines problem
for purchasing aircraft without thrust reversers.
Get some training, so you know what is going on.
I stand by my training and experience with aircraft.
It is not uncommon for aircraft to land on the 2nd half
of the runway. Then, thrust reversers are necessary.
Up north, where ice covers runways most of the winter,
thrust reversers are a necessity.
Training with thrust reversers on simulators is an open
question. I have never heard anyone talk about training
on aircraft thrust reversers. And it should be an integral
part of all ATP recurrent training.
No need to take my word for any of this. Correspond
with the FAA. Finding the correct FAA department is
usually the hard part.
All the best,
1 Like
Well Hi Mr. Terry. I’m not here to state an opinion, I’m here to correct you with the facts. Here is a list of many popular jets that do not have thrust reversers. I expect that I have neglected to mention some.
Embraer Phenom 100
Embraer Phenom 300
Pilatus PC24
Honda Jet
Honda Jet Elite II
Honda Jet
Cessna Citation Mustang
Cessna Citation CJ 1
Cessna Citation CJ 2
Cessna Citation CJ 3
Beech Premier Jet
Eclipse 500
Eclipse 550
Hawker 800 (optional)
As I understand it, the Phenom 300 is the most popularly sold aircraft in it’s class with NetJets being the biggest operator. I’ve flown the Hawker 800 without thrust reversers as well as several different flavors of Citations jets without thrust reversers.
Mr. Welander, your ideas are great! Can you please detail what a lesson on the proper use of reverse thrust would entail?
I know I took several years to figure out how to even deploy the thrust reversers on my 767. After landing I ask the pilot monitoring, should I do reversers? And the pilot monitoring is like “no way” and then I’m like “I’m totally gonna reverse it, man.” And the pilot monitoring is like “You’re gonna get an email if you reach up to the overhead and do the reversers.”. Then I’m all like “It’s not like you’re the guy who has to stow and re-charge them.”. So then we both consult our manuals, and my chief pilot is mad at me.
Teach me, please.
Things happen and, aside from stating the obvious, it’ll be some time before we get the useful causal and contributing factors here.
EMAS is a wonderful thing. I’d be happy to see my tax dollars deploy this stuff into every runway overrun area.