LOCAL : Repairs Under Way as Jet Blast Disables Airport’s Landing System

The Federal Aviation Administration said today it will look into who was responsible for the jet engine blast that knocked out John Wayne Airport’s instrument landing system, without which the airport will have to be closed during fog or rain.

An engine blast from an America West Boeing 757 blew apart the small, red and white shed at the end of the runway that contains the instrument landing system at about 8:40 a.m. Thursday, delaying 30 to 40 departing or arriving aircraft of various types for two hours.

Airport officials said the pilot failed to follow proper procedures by revving the engine too soon, before he had taxied the aircraft to the “blue line,” a mark on the runway. However, airport officials acknowledged that the pilot had permission from an unidentified air traffic controller.

“I presume that there will be an investigation, but what we’re working at right now is to return the airport to the normal status,” said the FAA’s Joe Fowler, manager at the John Wayne control tower.

Fowler said he has no idea yet how much it will cost or how long it will take to replace the damaged equipment. America West officials declined comment.