Engineered Materials Arresting System: Airport adds technology to stop planes that overrun runway

Groton -- The Groton-New London Airport has turned to some innovative technology in hopes of improving aircraft safety.

The airport on Monday unveiled two new safety zones located directly beyond both ends of its major runway. The areas are lined with covered blocks of crushable concrete that are designed to slow and stop an aircraft that overruns the runway.

Groton-New London is the first airport in the state to install this runway safety technology, called Engineered Material Arresting System.

According to Zodiac Aerospace, the company that manufactures EMAS, the technology has been installed nationwide at 42 airports and has stopped eight runaway planes without major damage.

“It’s designed to ensure that you don’t damage the airplane or cause any potential injuries to passengers,” said Kevin Quan, director of U.S. sales and marketing for Zodiac Aerospace.

Airport officials gave a tour of the larger runway safety zone, 340 feet long by 162 feet wide, at a news conference at 1 p.m. Federal Aviation Administration Regional Administrator Amy Lind Corbett also spoke briefly.

“Not only does (this technology) save lives, but it saves countless dollars,” Corbett said. “We want the public to know how well this runway technology works.”

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