Airport takes steps after ladder left on busy runway
NEW safety measures have been introduced at Birmingham Airport after a stepladder was left on the runway while three planes landed carrying more than 400 passengers.
The incident took place on September 8 last year following a ‘‘mishap’’ by maintenance workers.
An investigation by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) revealed that the extendable 7ft metal ladder (pictured) fell from a maintenance pick-up truck close to the runway’s centreline.
It was several minutes before the two engineering technicians in the vehicle realised the stepladder was missing and it remained lying on the ground for 37 minutes before being retrieved by the airport safety team.
The AAIB investigators said flight crew on board the first two aircrafts – operated by Ryanair and Jet2.com – reported they may have seen an “unusual object” on the runway but were not sure.
They were followed by a Tui Airways plane, whose crew confirmed the presence of the stepladder. A total of 426 people were on board the planes.
The investigators also criticised the maintenance workers for using an elastic bungee cord to secure the ladder, which they described as “not suitable”.
More effective equipment was available but “not readily to hand”, they added.
Birmingham Airport carried out its own inquiry and took several safety actions intended to prevent a re-occurrence of the incident.
The Civil Aviation Authority also issued a safety alert to raise awareness of the event among airport workers.
BUSINESS Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has welcomed plans for a massive car battery “gigafactory” to be built in the West Midlands.
But there is no decision so far on whether to provide the money the scheme will need. West Midlands mayor Andy Street has begun talks with the government about securing a share of £500 million in funding, and a formal request for the cash is expected soon. The mayor, along with the West Midlands Combined Authority and local authorities across the region, is supporting plans for a massive 4.5 million square feet factory to build electric car batteries at Coventry Airport.
Mr Kwarteng told the House of Commons: “I am very conscious of the fact that Coventry, given its history and that of the Midlands, would be an excellent place in which such a factory could be located.”
The Business Secretary was urged by MPs in other parts of the country to back proposed gigfactories in their regions, but he said: “We are absolutely committed to having at least one gigafactory site, if not more – I think we need more than one – before the next election.” Coventry City Council and Coventry Airport Ltd have created a partnership to develop proposals for a factory at Coventry Airport, and will seek planning permission this year. It would build batteries used in electric vehicles.
The bulky batteries require giant factories, know as gigafactories, because of their complexity.
Industry experts say that vehicle manufacturers will locate their plants close to gigafactories, which means securing one in the West Midlands is crucial for the long-term future of the region’s car industry, including the many firms in the supply chain. Jaguar Land Rover, which has plants in Birmingham and Solihull, has announced that it intends to become an “all-electric” brand.
Dudley South MP Mike Wood asked the Business Secretary: “Will he demonstrate his superior judgment by backing the campaign by West Midlands Conservative MPs and our fantastic Mayor, Andy Street, for a West Midlands gigafactory so that the West Midlands truly can be the engine for growth?” Mr Kwarteng said: “Yes, Andy is doing a great job. MPs in the region are really driving progress in this area.
“I would be very happy to help them and support them in that endeavour.”