Runway End Safety Area (RESA)
ICAO Annex 14 requires a 90m RESA at the ends of runways such as this one.
Furthermore, it recommends the distance should be 240m. Looking at the Google Earth view and using the ruler it appears that the distance from the end of the paved surface to the motorway is in excess of this recommended distance; about 350m I think.
Looking at the video there appears to be wall of some sorts between the hard shoulder and the perimeter fence, but being beyond the RESA it could be argued it was not a factor from a regulatory perspective. But, how long should a RESA be?
Very sad about the loss of life, but could you imagine if it had been a bus on the motorway?
Last edited by Sir George Cayley; 30th Dec 2012 at 10:11.