Regulations & Safety
Runway Overrun Incident at Mayfield Airport Highlights Aviation Safety Challenges
A Cessna Citation CJ4 runway overrun at Mayfield-Graves County Airport highlights persistent aviation safety risks and industry efforts to prevent excursions.
On September 18, 2025, a Cessna 525C Citation CJ4 operated by Stonecrest Capital LLC overran the runway at Mayfield-Graves County Airport in Kentucky, ultimately crashing through a perimeter fence and into a residential home. Remarkably, both the pilot and the home’s occupant escaped without injury. While no lives were lost, this incident underscores persistent challenges in Safety, particularly regarding runway excursions, one of the most frequent and potentially dangerous categories of aviation incidents. The event highlights the intricate blend of factors that contribute to runway overruns, including pilot decision-making, aircraft performance, airport infrastructure, and emergency response protocols.
This incident offers a lens through which to examine broader trends in runway safety, the effectiveness of current prevention technologies, and the ongoing economic and regulatory efforts to minimize the frequency and impact of such events. The aviation industry continues to grapple with how best to address these risks, with a combination of technological innovation, regulatory oversight, and operational training.
In this article, we break down the significance of runway excursions, analyze the specifics of the Mayfield incident, and explore the industry’s evolving response to this enduring safety challenge.
Runway excursions are defined as incidents where an aircraft departs the designated runway surface during takeoff, landing, or taxi operations. The aviation community categorizes these into two main types: runway overruns (where the aircraft travels beyond the runway end) and veer-offs (where the aircraft departs the side of the runway). Both types present unique risks and operational challenges.
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), runway excursions accounted for 55% of all runway safety accidents between 2010 and 2014, with veer-offs being slightly more common than overruns. While many excursions result in minor damage, some have led to catastrophic loss of life and substantial property destruction. During the cited period, five fatal landing excursions claimed 174 lives, all involving overruns rather than veer-offs. These statistics underline the gravity of the issue, especially during landing when high speeds and limited stopping distance amplify risks.
The persistent frequency of runway excursions, regardless of airport size or location, has made them a focal point for safety initiatives worldwide. Both commercial and business aviation sectors are affected, with corporate jets showing a particular vulnerability due to their frequent use of smaller airports with shorter runways and varied surface conditions.
The recent incident at Mayfield-Graves County Airport involved a Cessna 525C Citation CJ4, a business jet equipped with advanced Avionics and performance aids such as anti-skid brakes and thrust reversers. The airport itself features a single 5,002-foot asphalt runway and operates without a control tower, relying on common traffic advisory frequencies for communication.
On the afternoon of September 18, 2025, the aircraft landed under what appeared to be normal conditions. After touchdown, the pilot was unable to stop the plane within the available runway length. The jet overran the pavement, broke through the airport fence, crossed a local highway, and collided with the corner of a nearby home. The absence of injuries was attributed to both the structural integrity of the aircraft and the fortunate circumstances of the crash sequence. The event is emblematic of the risks associated with general aviation and business jet operations at smaller Airports, where shorter runways and the absence of advanced safety infrastructure can limit the margin for error. Despite the Citation CJ4’s sophisticated systems, the incident demonstrates that technology alone cannot fully eliminate overrun risks.
“Runway excursions are the most frequent category of runway safety incidents globally, affecting operations in all regions and at airports of all sizes.”, IATA Runway Safety Accident Analysis The aviation industry’s approach to runway safety has been shaped by several high-profile accidents. For example, the 2006 Comair Flight 5191 disaster in Lexington, Kentucky, involved a regional jet taking off from the wrong, shorter runway and overrunning the pavement, resulting in 49 fatalities. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) attributed the accident to crew errors in positional awareness and inadequate cross-checking of runway assignments.
Another notable incident occurred in 2005 when Southwest Airlines Flight 1248 overran a snowy runway at Chicago Midway Airport, crossing a road and striking a car, which led to one fatality. Investigators found that delayed thrust reverser deployment and unfamiliarity with the aircraft’s autobrake system were key factors.
More recently, a 2019 runway overrun in Alaska involving a Peninsula Aviation Services Saab 2000 resulted in one death after a malfunction in the anti-skid brake system. These cases highlight the diverse causes of overruns, from human error and mechanical failure to challenging weather and inadequate infrastructure.
Recent safety data from the Flight Safety Foundation indicates that runway excursions remain the leading type of accident in corporate aviation. In 2024, there were 17 runway excursion accidents involving corporate jets, up from 14 in 2023. Over the five-year period from 2019 to 2024, runway excursions accounted for 41% of all corporate jet accidents, with six resulting in fatalities.
Runway incursions, unauthorized presence on a runway, are closely related to excursions. FAA data shows a 12.1% decrease in incursion rates at towered airports from 2023 to 2024, and a 69% drop in serious incursions. However, the long-term trend has seen incursions rise alongside increases in air traffic volume, underscoring the challenge of maintaining runway safety as operations grow.
To address these risks, the industry has developed advanced prevention systems. The Runway Overrun Awareness and Alerting System (ROAAS) and Airbus’s Runway Overrun Protection System (ROPS) provide real-time alerts to pilots about stopping distances and required actions. The FAA has installed Runway Status Lights (RWSL) at major airports, and is seeking more cost-effective lighting systems for broader deployment. Engineered Material Arresting Systems (EMAS), which use crushable concrete to stop overrunning aircraft, have proven effective but are costly to install.
“Effective runway overrun prevention systems must minimize crew workload while aiding awareness and supporting decision-making.”, Flight Safety Foundation The financial ramifications of runway excursions extend far beyond the immediate costs of aircraft repair. FAA investigation expenses for fatal accidents average over $9,000, but this figure excludes broader economic impacts such as aircraft replacement, business disruption, legal costs, and long-term technology investments. Major investigations require significant resources, especially when they influence industry-wide safety improvements. Runway Safety Area (RSA) improvements at major airports can cost hundreds of millions of dollars. For example, Reagan National Airport has faced RSA upgrade costs exceeding $109 million due to geographical and environmental challenges. The installation of advanced lighting and EMAS systems further adds to the industry’s safety expenditures.
For operators, runway excursions mean increased insurance premiums, regulatory scrutiny, and operational disruptions. The business aviation sector, in particular, must weigh the flexibility of using smaller airports against the heightened risks and potential costs of excursions at facilities with limited infrastructure.
Experts agree that a systems approach is essential for preventing runway excursions. This includes not only technological solutions but also improved training, better communication among pilots and controllers, and accurate, timely runway condition information. Human factors remain a critical element, as even experienced pilots can fall prey to complacency or misjudgment during routine operations.
International collaboration is also key. The Global Action Plan for the Prevention of Runway Excursions (GAPPRE) and similar initiatives aim to standardize best practices and promote data sharing across borders. Aircraft manufacturers are integrating new safety systems into their fleets, while regulators are pushing for more comprehensive reporting and proactive risk management.
Looking ahead, AI, enhanced sensors, and predictive analytics hold promise for further reducing runway excursion risks. These technologies could provide real-time updates on weather, runway conditions, and aircraft performance, supporting more informed decision-making by both pilots and air traffic controllers.
The Mayfield-Graves County Airport overrun serves as a vivid reminder that runway excursions remain a persistent challenge in aviation safety. While the absence of injuries in this case is fortunate, the incident underscores the need for ongoing vigilance, investment, and innovation across the industry. As air traffic continues to grow and operations become more complex, preventing runway excursions will require a sustained, multi-faceted approach that combines technology, training, infrastructure, and collaborative regulation.
With continued advancements in prevention systems and a commitment to learning from past incidents, the aviation community can further reduce the risk of runway excursions. However, the complexity of the challenge ensures that it will remain a central focus for safety professionals, regulators, and operators alike for the foreseeable future.
What is a runway excursion? How common are runway excursions? What technologies help prevent runway overruns? What are the main causes of runway overruns? What is the industry doing to reduce runway excursions? Sources: KFVS12, NTSB Comair 5191 Report, IATA Runway Safety Accident Analysis
Aircraft Runway Overrun Incident at Mayfield-Graves County Airport: Aviation Safety Challenges and Industry Response
Understanding Runway Excursions: Definitions, Data, and Impact
Case Study: The Mayfield-Graves County Airport Incident
Historical Context: Lessons from Major Runway Overrun Accidents
Industry Trends, Prevention Technologies, and Regulatory Response
Economic Impact and the Cost of Prevention
Expert Perspectives and Future Directions
Conclusion
FAQ
A runway excursion occurs when an aircraft departs the runway surface during takeoff, landing, or taxi operations. This includes overruns (beyond the runway end) and veer-offs (departing the side).
According to IATA, runway excursions accounted for 55% of all runway safety accidents between 2010 and 2014. They remain the most frequent category of runway incidents globally.
Key technologies include Runway Overrun Awareness and Alerting Systems (ROAAS), Runway Overrun Protection Systems (ROPS), Engineered Material Arresting Systems (EMAS), and advanced runway lighting like Runway Status Lights (RWSL).
Causes include pilot error, misjudgment of landing distance, mechanical failures (such as brake or anti-skid system issues), adverse weather, and inadequate runway infrastructure.
The industry is investing in new technologies, improving pilot training, enhancing runway infrastructure, and promoting international collaboration on best practices and data sharing.
Photo Credit: WKYT
Regulations & Safety
Starsky Aviation Fokker 50 Runway Excursion at Mogadishu Airport
A Starsky Aviation Fokker 50 skidded off the runway during emergency landing at Mogadishu’s Aden Adde Airport; all 55 aboard safe with minor injuries.
This article summarizes reporting by ABC News / Associated Press and Omar Faruk.
On Tuesday, February 10, 2026, a passenger aircraft operated by Starsky Aviation suffered a significant runway excursion during an emergency landing at Aden Adde International Airport (MGQ) in Mogadishu, Somalia. According to reporting by the Associated Press, the aircraft skidded off the runway and came to a rest on the sandy shoreline of the Indian Ocean.
Despite the severity of the crash landing, which resulted in the detachment of the aircraft’s right wing, authorities have confirmed that there were no fatalities among the passengers and crew.
The flight, identified as a domestic service operated by a Fokker 50 turboprop, departed Mogadishu in the early afternoon. Conflicting reports from local sources suggest the flight was bound for either Guriel or Galkayo. Approximately 15 minutes after departure, the flight crew declared an emergency due to a suspected technical malfunction, specifically citing engine failure, and requested an immediate return to Aden Adde International Airport.
According to verified details released by the Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA), the pilots attempted to land on Runway 05/23. However, upon touchdown, the aircraft failed to stop within the designated tarmac area.
SCAA Director General Ahmed Moalim Hassan provided a statement regarding the sequence of events:
“The pilot tried to land the aircraft back in Mogadishu, but after touchdown, he was unable to maintain control.”
, Ahmed Moalim Hassan, SCAA Director General (via AP/Local Media)
The aircraft subsequently breached the airport’s perimeter fence and slid onto the adjacent beach. Emergency services, including airport fire crews, responded immediately to evacuate the aircraft. While the Associated Press initially reported “up to 50” people on board, updated reports indicate a total manifest of 55 people, comprised of 50 passengers and 5 crew members. All were evacuated safely, with only minor injuries reported. The aircraft involved is a Fokker 50, a turboprop commonly used for regional flights in East Africa. The operator, Starsky Aviation (formerly known as Starsom Air), is a Mogadishu-based carrier founded in 2013. The airline utilizes a fleet primarily consisting of Fokker 50 and Embraer aircraft for domestic passenger and cargo logistics.
Images circulating from the scene depict the aircraft resting on the sand with substantial structural damage, including a severed right wing. Airport officials noted that preventing a post-impact fire was a primary concern given the fuel load and the crash site’s proximity to the water.
Aden Adde International Airport is geographically unique, with its primary runway running parallel to the Indian Ocean coastline. This layout leaves little margin for error during runway excursions. As noted in historical data regarding the airport, this is not an isolated event.
While the survival of all 55 occupants is a testament to the durability of the airframe and the quick response of rescue teams, this incident reinforces concerns regarding operations at Aden Adde International Airport. The recurrence of runway excursions ending on the beach suggests that environmental factors, such as coastal wind shear, combined with aging turboprop fleets, present persistent risks.
The Fokker 50 has long been a workhorse in Somali aviation, but the frequency of hull-loss incidents involving this type in the region may prompt increased regulatory scrutiny regarding maintenance standards and pilot training for emergency return scenarios.
Starsky Aviation Fokker 50 Veers Off Runway in Mogadishu; All 55 Aboard Safe
Incident Overview and Timeline
Aircraft and Airline Background
Context: A History of Shoreline Excursions
AirPro News Analysis
Sources
Photo Credit: X
Regulations & Safety
NJASAP Supports H.R. 7148 Enhancing FAA Funding and Aviation Safety
NJASAP applauds H.R. 7148 for securing FAA funding, staffing increases, and infrastructure upgrades to strengthen U.S. aviation safety and stability.
This article is based on an official press release from the NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP).
The NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP), the independent labor union representing more than 3,700 pilots who fly for NetJets Aviation, Inc., has issued a formal statement applauding the enactment of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 (H.R. 7148). Signed into law by the President on February 3, 2026, the legislation secures full-year funding for the federal government, averting the operational risks associated with government shutdowns.
According to the union’s statement, the passage of H.R. 7148 represents a critical victory for the stability of the National Airspace System (NAS). NJASAP leadership highlighted that the bill not only ensures continuous operation of essential agencies but also directs significant resources toward modernizing avionics infrastructure and addressing long-standing staffing shortages at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
A primary focus of the NJASAP’s praise centers on the specific financial allocations designed to bolster the FAA’s operational capacity. The union noted that the legislation provides $13.71 billion for FAA operations, a figure intended to stabilize the agency’s day-to-day functions.
In its release, NJASAP emphasized the importance of the bill’s provisions for workforce expansion. The legislation funds the hiring of approximately 2,500 new air traffic controllers. This surge in staffing is aimed at mitigating the persistent shortages that have strained the air traffic control system, contributed to delays, and reduced safety margins across the network.
Additionally, the bill allocates resources for 54 additional aviation safety inspectors. NJASAP views these hires as essential for maintaining rigorous oversight within the industry.
Beyond operational staffing, the union highlighted the bill’s investment in physical and technological infrastructure. The Consolidated Appropriations Act allocates $4 billion to the Airport Improvement Program (AIP). According to the press release, these funds are designated for replacing aging radar systems and telecommunications infrastructure, as well as upgrading navigation and surveillance systems.
The union also drew attention to a $100 million allocation for the FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine. This funding is targeted at modernizing technology systems to reduce the backlog in pilot medical certifications, a bureaucratic bottleneck that has historically kept qualified pilots grounded for extended periods. On the policy front, NJASAP celebrated the inclusion of language explicitly prohibiting the privatization of the U.S. air traffic control system. The union has long opposed privatization efforts, arguing that the NAS must remain a public asset accountable to safety standards rather than profit motives.
Capt. Pedro Leroux, President of NJASAP, commented on the significance of the legislation in the official release:
“Congress has taken a decisive step to protect the safety and continuity of the National Airspace System by passing a full-year appropriation that prioritizes modernization, staffing and FAA readiness. As professional aviators who rely on these systems every day, we commend lawmakers for recognizing that airspace safety and stability are not optional, but are fundamental to the U.S. aviation industry.”
While the funding measures in H.R. 7148 benefit the entire aviation sector, they hold specific relevance for NetJets pilots. Unlike commercial airline pilots who primarily operate between major hubs with robust support infrastructure, fractional pilots frequently fly into a vast network of smaller, regional airports. The $4 billion investment in the Airport Improvement Program is therefore critical for maintaining safety standards at the diverse range of airfields utilized by business aviation.
Furthermore, the stability provided by a full-year appropriations bill is vital for long-term planning. Stop-gap funding measures often freeze training pipelines; by securing funding through the fiscal year, the FAA can proceed with the training of the 2,500 new controllers without interruption, a key factor in reducing system-wide congestion.
NJASAP Commends Congress on H.R. 7148 Passage, Citing Safety and Stability Wins
Strengthening FAA Operations and Staffing
Addressing the Controller Shortage
Infrastructure and Policy Protections
Aeromedical Reform and Privatization
AirPro News Analysis
Sources
Photo Credit: The NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots
Regulations & Safety
Garmin GHA 15 Height Advisor Receives FAA Approval for Certified Aircraft
Garmin’s GHA 15 Height Advisor, a radar-based altitude device, gains FAA approval for over 500 certified aircraft models, enhancing general aviation safety.
This article is based on an official press release from Garmin.
Garmin has announced that its GHA 15 Height Advisor, a radar-based altitude monitoring device, has received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval. Previously available only for the experimental market, this certification allows the installation of the device in over 500 models of Class I and Class II certified aircraft.
The approval marks a significant shift in the accessibility of radar altimetry for general aviation pilots. According to the company, the GHA 15 is available immediately at a price of $2,695. This pricing strategy positions the device as a cost-effective alternative to traditional radar altimeters, which have historically been priced significantly higher and reserved for business jets or commercial airliners.
The GHA 15 is designed to provide pilots with precise Height Above Ground Level (AGL) readings during the critical final phases of flight. While standard barometric altimeters rely on air pressure and can be subject to calibration errors or terrain variations, the GHA 15 uses radio frequency technology to measure the actual distance between the aircraft and the ground.
Garmin states that the device is capable of providing AGL data from 500 feet down to the surface. The system integrates with the Garmin GI 275 electronic flight instrument to display altitude data and generate audible callouts directly to the pilot’s headset. These callouts, such as “50 feet,” “20 feet,” and “10 feet”, are user-configurable and intended to assist pilots in judging flare height and landing timing.
“The GHA 15 provides a cost-effective solution that helps reduce pilot workload and provides confidence during the approach and landing phases of flight.”
, Garmin Press Release
The unit is a compact, all-in-one module that mounts to the underside of the aircraft fuselage. Weighing less than one pound (approximately 0.45 kg), the device is roughly the size of a deck of cards, minimizing the structural impact of installation. According to the technical details released by Garmin, the GHA 15 offers the following accuracy levels:
The FAA STC covers a broad range of single-engine and twin-engine piston aircraft (Class I and Class II). This includes popular general aviation airframes such as the Cessna 172, Piper PA-28, Beechcraft Bonanza, and Mooney M20 series. To function, the GHA 15 must be interfaced with a Garmin GI 275 electronic flight instrument. For experimental aircraft, the device remains compatible with the G3X Touch flight display.
The certification of the GHA 15 represents a notable development in the “democratization” of avionics safety features. Historically, radar altimeters (such as the Garmin GRA 55) have cost upwards of $7,000, placing them out of reach for the average private pilot. By offering a certified “Height Advisor” for under $3,000, Garmin is effectively bridging the gap between recreational flying and professional-grade situational awareness. We believe this technology will be particularly valuable in three specific scenarios:
It is important to note the distinction Garmin makes by labeling this product a “Height Advisor” rather than a TSO-certified radar altimeter. While it provides similar functionality, it is intended for advisory purposes and does not replace the higher-end equipment required for complex instrument approaches like CAT II or CAT III landings.
Sources: Garmin
Garmin GHA 15 Height Advisor Receives FAA Approval for Certified Aircraft
Bringing Radar Altimetry to General Aviation
Technical Specifications and Accuracy
Installation and Compatibility
AirPro News Analysis: The Democratization of Safety Tech
Sources
Photo Credit: Garmin
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