EMAS Technology Stops Jet in Chicago

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.

Public safety officials note two pilots were the sole occupants of the aircraft, and neither was injured when the business jet rolled through the runway safety area and a fence, coming to a stop just short of crossing a multilane road that runs perpendicular to the runway.

According to the FAA, the aircraft had come in from Baltimore/Washington International (KBWI), touching down in Illinois at 12:30 p.m. CDT.

CNN reported a light rain had been falling prior to the jet’s arrival, and Runway 34 was wet. The runway measures 5,000 feet and has a grooved asphalt surface. 

Air traffic control audio captured by LiveATC.net notes the runway surface was reported as “100 percent wet.” The controller noted that the jet touched down roughly halfway down the runway and could not come to a stop before exiting the pavement.

The jet was brought to a stop by the EMAS. Images captured by a local television station show deep tracks in the crushable material placed at the end of the runway.

EMAS is designed so that the tires sink into the material to rapidly decelerate the aircraft as it rolls.

According to information provided by the FAA, a standard EMAS installation will stop most aircraft overrunning the runway at 70 knots, or approximately 80 mph.

There were no reports of injuries to the pilots, and no motorists were involved. The FAA is investigating.