FAA takes the blame for airport mistake

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — We now know who is responsible for shutting off the lights on ILM’s runway last week earlier than they were supposed to.

The mistake caused a couple planes to be diverted from ILM to other airports.

The FAA says they remotely turned out the lights at ILM causing two planes to be turned away as they were trying to land.

The airport director says they are pleased with the outcome of the faa’s investigation… And feel confident that their employees were not responsible.

“We are relieved that we can bring this information out to say that it was not caused by an ILM employee and that all of our lighting systems were completely operational during that time period,” said Julie Wilsey, Deputy Airport Director.

The airport says it did compensate passengers for their extended parking because of the mistake but that parking was the extent of what reimbursement the airport itself could provide.