Study Alleges Imminent Runway Collapse at Memphis International

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - A former FedEx employee who studied runway 927 at Memphis International Airport has concerns over its safety, but the Airport Authority said the runway is sound.

Guy Cobb, a self-described whistle blower, said the runway is in danger of collapsing. He said a 20-year old culvert is holding up the heavy runway and it's showing signs of giving out.

"The weight of the new runway is going to continue to compress it until these walls collapse," said Cobb.

Cobb said he captured pictures of the Hurricane Creek Culvert. He said the runway over the culvert is too heavy, causing the cracks and bulging seen in the pictures.

He said that could result in a collapse.

"An aircraft coming over causes the initial collapse, which then, another airplane coming in would actually go down into the collapsed runway," said Cobb.

But Sara Hall, attorney for the Airport Authority, said engineers examined the runway and culvert right after Cobb's claims, and again after the new $50 million runway was constructed.

"The engineers advised that it was in good condition, structurally sound and there were no maintenance requirements at this time," said Cobb.

Cobb said pulling up a section of the runway and putting a bridge over the culvert would solve the problem. But Hall said there are no plans to change anything at this time.

"Those walls are very thick and they are structurally designed to withhold the weight and that's exactly what they're doing," said Hall.