What Is EMAS? Runway Safety System Stops Jet at Boca Raton Airport

A private jet that overran the runway at Boca Raton Airport on September 3, 2025, was brought to a safe stop thanks to a specialized safety system known as EMAS, or Engineered Materials Arresting System.

The Bombardier Challenger 300, carrying four people, had just completed a four-hour flight from Las Vegas when it overshot the runway during landing at 5:10 p.m., according to FlightAware. Video footage shows the jet sliding before suddenly kicking up a cloud of debris as it stopped short of a busy road. No injuries were reported.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the airport’s EMAS bed was activated to stop the aircraft. EMAS, or Engineered Materials Arresting System, is made of lightweight, crushable material installed at the end of runways to decelerate aircraft that overrun, undershoot, or veer off course. As the plane’s weight compresses the material, it rapidly slows and halts the aircraft, preventing a more serious accident.

Each system uses crushable concrete or similar engineered materials designed to collapse under an aircraft’s weight, dissipating energy and bringing it to a controlled stop. According to the FAA, 122 EMAS beds are currently installed at 70 U.S. airports, and they have already prevented numerous accidents—safely stopping both commercial and private aircraft that otherwise could have ended up in hazardous situations beyond the runway.

The same day, EMAS was also credited with safely stopping a Gulfstream G150 at Chicago Executive Airport after it too overran a runway. Both incidents highlight the system’s effectiveness. “These systems did exactly what they’re designed to do—stop aircraft safely when they go off the runway. This technology is making a real difference in preventing serious accidents,” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said.

Currently, 122 EMAS systems are installed at 70 U.S. airports, including Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International, where the system has previously stopped an overrunning aircraft carrying seven passengers and crew.


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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, nbcmiami.com