THE Federal Aviation Administration conducted its periodic certification inspection of the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport on March 15, 2022 and noted at least 18 discrepancies.
But FAA Airport Certification Inspector Joseph Carlini also told CPA Executive Director Christopher Tenorio that “we have considered all the available facts and concluded this matter does not warrant legal enforcement action.”
Carlini said, “In lieu of such action,” the FAA issued a letter to Tenorio as a matter of record. Carlini also instructed Tenorio to notify the FAA district office in Honolulu, Hawaii when the discrepancies are corrected no later than 15 days.
The FAA noted the following discrepancies:
• The sign base at Taxiway E and Runway 7-25 had a lip greater than three inches.
• Runway 7-25 threshold bar, threshold markings and edge markings are faded and not reflective at nighttime. The airport must repaint the markings on this runway by correction date on July 31, 2022.
• Runway 7-25 blast pad markings are faded. The airport should survey the airfield markings and prioritize the most critical markings. The airport must repaint the markings on both runway ends, by correction date on July 31, 2022.
• Taxiway lead-on, lead-off lines for Runway 7-25 are non-standard at Taxiway Delta and should be offset by three feet edge to edge from the runway centerline marking. The airport should survey the remaining lead-on, lead-off lines on Runway 7-25 to ensure compliance, then eradicate and remark the required intersections by correction date on July 31, 2022.
• Taxiway centerlines are faded or inconsistent throughout the airport. The airport should survey the airfield markings and prioritize the most critical markings. The airport must repaint the markings so they are consistent in color and reflectivity, by correction date on August 31, 2022.
• Taxiway edge markings are faded throughout the airport. They must be consistent in color and reflectivity. The airport should survey the airfield markings and prioritize the most critical markings. The taxiway edge lines at Taxiways Alpha and Echo should terminate at the runway edge line. The airport must repaint or add the markings, by correction date on Sept. 30, 2022.
• The surface painted hold position signs are faded and must be repainted, by correction date on Oct. 31, 2022.
• The Runway Holding Position markings and enhanced taxiway center line markings for Runway 7-25 are faded, do not have the proper spacing, or have major paint buildup and must be eradicated where required and repainted, by correction date on June 30, 2022.
• The enhanced taxiway centerline on Taxiway Bravo at temporary Runway 6-24 consists of four enhancements and is confusing to outbound traffic. The airport must update its marking plan to simplify the intersection by removing the two straight enhancements and realigning the commuter taxiway centerline without direct access to the temporary runway by correction date on June 30, 2022.
• The left red Runway 7 holding position sign that was damaged from Super Typhoon Yutu must be replaced with a new panel by correction date on June 30, 2022.
• The optional taxiway shoulder markings throughout the airfield are faded. The requirements should be reviewed, and the markings should be eradicated or refreshed by correction date on August 31, 2022.
• Two runway safety areas vehicle road signs and surface painted stop bars are missing on the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting vehicle road between temporary Runway 6-24 and Runway 7-25 to prevent unauthorized vehicles in the Runway Safety Area. The signs should be installed by correction date on June 30, 2022.
• During the ARFF training record inspection, one ARFF firefighter did not complete his live-fire drill within 12 consecutive calendar months before working an assigned rescue and firefighting duties shift. His live fire 12 consecutive calendar months expired at the end of December 2021. The firefighter was on shift and assigned to ARFF Truck C-6 prior to his live fire recertification on Jan. 19, 2022.
• The three Jet-A fuel tank Diamond Hazard Placards indicating health, flammability and instability hazards are faded and should be replaced. The rules state that fuel storage tanks be labeled in accordance with the requirements. The placards must be replaced on each tank in a number and location determined by the authority having jurisdiction, by correction date on May 31, 2022.
• The fuel tank farm’s “Emergency Fuel Shutoff” placards were faded and not located at a minimum of seven feet above grade to the bottom of the sign. The certificate holder must ensure all “Emergency Fuel Shutoff” signs are replaced and raised to seven feet above grade to the bottom of the signs by correction date on May 31, 2022.
• Exxon Fuel Truck No. 420 was missing the “Emergency Fuel Shutoff” and method operation placards on the elevated fueling platform and on the driver’s side shutoff locations. Additionally, the Emergency Fuel Shutoff push buttons are faded from red to white and no longer of contrasting color with the surrounding area. The certificate holder must ensure these placards are added and the buttons are replaced or painted red, by correction date on April 30, 2022.
• Exxon Mobile Hydrant Truck 420, Jet-A was missing the UN 1863 placard on the three sides of the vehicle, and had a faded “NO SMOKING” placard on the front. Mobile fuel trucks are required to be labeled in accordance with the rules. The UN 1863 placard and NO SMOKING placards must be installed on all four sides of the vehicle by correction date on April 30, 2022.
• Exxon Mobile Hydrant Truck 420, Jet-A, was identified with cigarette butts in the vehicle cab. The fueler must provide additional training to their staff to comply with the rules, by correction date on April 30, 2022.
In his report to the CPA board during the monthly meeting on May 16, Tenorio said all the three airports in the CNMI were working on correcting the deficiencies.
In an interview, he said some of the discrepancies have been addressed already.
