Federal Aviation Administration 

National Part 139 CertAlert

**Advisory**Cautionary**Non-Directive**Advisory**Cautionary**Non-Directive**Advisory**Cautionary**Non-Directive**

Date: No. 22-05

To: 

Subject:

October 12, 2022 

All Title 14 CFR Part 139 Airport Operators 

Inspection and Maintenance of In-Pavement Equipment 

Point of Contact: Alberto Rodriguez, AAS-300, (847) 294-7647

Email: alberto.rodriguez@faa.gov

1. Purpose. This CertAlert serves as a reminder to airport operators to ensure lighting systems

are properly inspected and maintained as required by 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)

part 139.311(d). This section provides: “Each certificate holder must properly maintain each

marking, sign, or lighting system installed and operated on the airport.” Components of these

systems may include manhole covers, hand-hole covers, drainage grates, maintenance access

covers, and any other bolted-down equipment in the runway, taxiway, and safety area

environments. Airports should comply with this requirement through routine inspections and

by applying a detailed periodic preventive maintenance program. An emphasis should be

placed on supplemental inspections following surface maintenance activities, clearing of

snow and ice, or Foreign Objects of Debris (FOD).

2. Background. In recent incidents, physical damage to an aircraft resulted from the failure of

in-pavement runway light fixtures. These incidents highlight the importance of preventive

maintenance programs, associated checks, and inspection procedures. Such surveillance is

particularly important for in-pavement lighting systems, inspection covers, and other fixtures

in the runway and taxiway safety areas. Fixtures that are subjected to physical stress caused

by tire movement, engine ingestion, jet blast, water pressure, flooding, and/or maintenance

activities, such as snow and ice removal, grass cutting, etc., require additional maintenance

and inspection monitoring, especially in touchdown zones and on busier runways.

3. Related FAA Standards Information.

a. Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5340-26, Maintenance of Airport Visual Aid Facilities:

Provides specific guidelines for maintenance of airport visual aid systems, discusses

maintenance procedures for in-pavement lighting systems, and provides guidelines and a

schedule of periodic checks. It is important that maintenance personnel and persons

assigned to perform daily inspections review the schedule of periodic checks, including

the need to periodically check bolts used to install in-pavement lights, panels, and covers.

b. AC 150/5340-30, Design and Installation Details for Airport Visual Aids: Outlines

maintenance criteria in Chapter 12, which discusses the unique requirements associated

with the maintenance of ‘load-bearing lighting fixtures”, such as in-pavement centerline

or touchdown-zone lighting.
10/12/2022 FAA Part 139 CertAlert No. 22-05

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c. Engineering Brief (EB) 83, In-Pavement Light Fixture Bolts: Provides information and

guidance for standard methods to be employed when using stainless steel or coated

carbon steel bolts to secure light fixtures to L-868 light bases. Stainless steel and coated

carbon steel bolts can be used for connecting extension rings or light bases to light

fixtures. Bolt tension and clamping force are discussed to properly determine bolt torque

values.

d. AC 150/5200-18, Airport Safety Self-Inspection: Discusses airport safety self-inspection

procedures for airport fixtures in the airport movement areas.

e. AC 150/5320-5, Airport Drainage Design: Provides guidance that special consideration

must be given to the design of the manhole frame and cover. The cover must be secured

so that it remains in place during peak flooding periods, avoiding a manhole “blowout.”

A blowout is caused when the hydraulic grade line rises in elevation higher than the

manhole cover and forces the lid to explode off. Manhole covers should be bolted or

secured in place with a locking mechanism if blowout conditions are possible.

f. AC 150/5370-10, Standard Specifications for Construction of Airports: States all

castings or structural steel units must conform to the dimensions shown on the plans and

be designed to support the loadings, aircraft gear configuration, and/or direct loading

specified. Each frame and cover or grate unit must be provided with fastening members

to prevent it from being dislodged by traffic but which will allow easy removal for access

to the structure. Operators must ensure that all non-light fixtures are properly inspected

and maintained to ensure they are properly secured with their designed locking

mechanism (bolts and/or other fasteners).

4. Action. Airport operators should establish rigorous inspection and maintenance programs

(daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, etc.) for in-pavement light and non-light fixtures to ensure

they are properly secured with their designed locking mechanism (bolts and/or fasteners).

Unsecured fixtures on pavement and the safety areas of runways and taxiways could become

dislodged due to tire movement, engine ingestion, jet blast, water pressure, flooding, snow

and ice removal activities, grass cutting, etc.

Airport operators should follow FAA and equipment manufacturer guidelines. While airport

operators must be inspecting these fixtures during their daily self-inspections, it may be

necessary for the airport operator to institute an in-depth inspection maintenance program on

an established periodic basis to evaluate the maintenance and condition of fixtures that are on

runways and taxiways and safety areas.

In addition to conducting the required maintenance, airport operators should ensure these

maintenance activities are properly documented. If you have any questions about

documentation requirements, contact your assigned Airport Certification Safety Inspector.

_

Birkely Rhodes, Manager 

Airports Safety and Operations Division, AAS-300