AVIATION/ FAA TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGIANT INCIDENT

The FAA has opened an investigation into the ALLEGIANT AIR MD82, that was carrying a college football team to a game in Missouri, that struck runway end lights and appears to have overran the runway before taking off from Runway 15 from Lake Charle, Louisiana in a cloud of dust and debris the afternoon on September 10. According to Airport officials who witnessed the event, Allegiant Flight 4105 broke down 1 runway end light, markers that extend 8-10in above the ground, and knocked the lens out of another light before leaving what appears to be a rut in the grass approximately 25ft long. The runway is 6500ft long. "When it got toward the end of the runway, we heard a loud pop and saw a debris field of grass and dirt about 60m in the air," said a witness. "Sight of the aircraft was lost in the dust cloud; shortly after the aircraft reappeared and continued on its departure." Fire and rescue teams drove to the runway end to investigate, finding the broken lights and debris from a tire approximately 61m past the runway 15 end. Debris was also kicked back on the runway for approximately 180m. Fire officials called the tower to report finding the debris, which in turn alerted the Allegiant crew enroute to Columbia, Missouri for a McNeece State University football game. Pilots decided to make a precautionary emergency landing in Tunica, Mississippi, where the aircraft's left outboard tire was found to be shredded after landing. According to an FAA spokesman, an inspection of the aircraft in Tunica revealed damage to the flaps, accessories in the main landing gear well and engine cowling, though it is unclear at what point the equipment was damaged. Allegiant said the aircraft was carrying 136 passengers and 5 crew members. The aircraft is currently out of service and has been ferried to Jacksonville for repairs. Allegiant also reported that an internal investigation of the incident is underway.