=20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This article was sent to you by someone who found it on SF Gate. The original article can be found on SFGate.com here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=3D/news/archive/2003/08/01/s= tate1528EDT0092.DTL ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Friday, August 1, 2003 (AP) North Las Vegas joins LAX atop FAA list of runway mistakes (08-01) 12:28 PDT NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. (AP) -- North Las Vegas Airport had more close calls on its runways from 1999 to 2002 than any other airport in the nation except Los Angeles International Airport, according to a Federal Aviation Administration report. The agency tabulated reports of "runway incursions," which it defines as any runway collision hazard or event compromising a required cushion between aircraft. North Las Vegas and Los Angeles International each reported 34 runway incursions during the study period. That figure exceeded the combined number of incidents reported at the three other Nevada airports in the study: McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, Reno-Tahoe International Airport and Elko Regional Airport. Five incursions at North Las Vegas Airport involved at least a significa= nt potential for collision, according to the FAA report released Wednesday. In 24 incidents, there was little to no chance of a collision. Clark County operates North Las Vegas and McCarran airports. Airport spokeswoman Debbie Millett noted that according to the FAA report, runway incursions at North Las Vegas Airport dropped from 14 in 2000, to nine in 2001 to seven in 2002. "It's actually improving," she said. Of the 35 busiest commercial airports in the United States, nine had more incursions than McCarran, which had 13. McCarran is the nation's seventh-busiest airport. Reno-Tahoe reported seven runway incursions during the study period. Elko had none. North Las Vegas serves primarily small planes, tour flights and private aircraft other than military planes and airliners. In recent years, it has upgraded its runway, layout and lighting. On the Net: FAA runway safety home page: www.faarsp.org =20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 2003 AP