FAA Investigates Alleged Safety and Grant Violations at Reid-Hillview Airport

The FAA has launched a Part 13 investigation at Reid-Hillview Airport (KRHV) in San Jose, California.

Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at 12:28 PM ET

Verified

The FAA has launched a Part 13 investigation at Reid-Hillview Airport (KRHV) in San Jose, California. [Courtesy: San Jose Convention and Visitor Bureau]

Key Takeaways:

The FAA has launched a Part 13 investigation into Santa Clara County, primarily over its decision to ban 100LL aviation fuel sales at Reid-Hillview Airport (KRHV) starting January 1, 2022.
The FAA alleges the fuel ban violates federal grant assurances, poses significant safety risks by forcing aircraft to refuel elsewhere or incorrectly, and contradicts the U.S. Constitution's commerce clause.
Additional FAA concerns include the county denying long-term leases to airport tenants—seen as an attempt to "economically choke" operations—and creating various safety hazards like non-standard signage and overgrown vegetation.
The county justifies the fuel ban by citing a study on local children's blood lead levels but views the investigation as the latest shot in an ongoing dispute with the FAA, denying intentions to close the airport before 2031.

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The FAA has launched a Part 13 investigation at Reid-Hillview Airport (KRHV) in San Jose, California. Part 13 covers the FAA’s investigative and enforcement actions, and this investigation was allegedly triggered by the Santa Clara County board of supervisors proposal to ban the sale of 100LL fuel beginning on January 1, 2022.

The county is the airport sponsor. The fuel ban is one on a laundry list of potential safety issues and alleged violations at the airport.