Daley Not Worried About O'Hare Runway Debris

FAA says it found rocks, garbage on runways

Mayor Richard Daley isn't worried about the tall grass that surrounds the runways at O'Hare or the debris that's scattered across them.

Federal Aviation Administration officials sent the city a "letter of correction" after they found dangerous items on and around runways, saying O'Hare could be putting travelers' lives at risk.

But Daley said the items noted were "not very significant."

"We take anything very seriously, but it's not jeopardizing travelers coming in and out," Daley said Thursday morning.  "If you look at it, anything is a violation, but it's not dealing with the safety of people landing and taking off, we know that."

Officials say a small stone on a runway could pose a risk to a plane that's taking off or landing if its ingested into jet engines or if it pierces a piece of vital equipment.

But FAA inspectors said they found "rocks, garbage and wood survey stakes used during construction on runways and taxiways at O'Hare," according to the Chicago Tribune.
 

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