FAA investigates Newark runway miss

(New York- WABC, October 31, 2006) (WABC) -- The FAA is trying to figure out why the pilots of a Continental Airlines 757 plane full of passengers didn't land on the runway at Newark Airport. Instead, they came down on a narrow, dangerous taxiway. Fortunately, no one was hurt.

This is akin to a bus or taxi driver driving on the sidewalk. Although the consequences could have been much more severe, how is it that two experienced pilots reportedly failed to see the runway marked with a huge number and lit up like a Christmas tree?

"Even a non-pilot looking out and seeing this could clearly state that's 2-9, where we are supposed to be landing," former pilot JP Tristani told us.

This former commercial pilot says it's inconceivable that experienced pilots would mistake a taxiway for runway.

JP Tristani, pilot: "Like driving home at night and mistaking your neighbor's front door for your front door."

Air traffic control at Newark tells us that the Boeing 757 had been cleared to land on runway 29. It was windy and dark, but all the ground lights were fully operational. But rather than touching down on the 150 foot wide runway, the commercial jet with 157 passengers aboard landed on the 70-foot wide taxiway apparently skidding to a stop.

Tristani: "Otherwise he would have run off that taxiway it wasn't far down the line, 4,000 feet."

That compares to the 6,800 foot runway the pilots were supposed to land on. Newark's air traffic controllers say they've never seen this with a huge commercial jet.

Russ Halleran, Air Traffic Controller: "God forbid something would have, somebody was on that taxiway it could have been very serious. We kind of find it hard to believe or understand. The lighting is totally different with center lines and side lights and the taxi way lights are different colors so you should be able to pick it out quite clearly."

In a statement to Eyewitness News, Continental Airlines said it is investigating adding that "the pilots have been temporarily removed from flying duties and are assisting the company in analyzing the incident. The company says it has a very strong focus on safety and plan to use any findings to help avoid a reoccurrence in the future."

This pilot says mistaking a taxiway for a runway points to a total breakdown in the cockpit.

"Total distraction in the cockpit, not following procedure, not following the check list," Tristani said.

We've confirmed through air traffic control that the pilots acknowledged their mistake only after being contacted by the tower. This only adds to the trouble they're in.

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