JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 15-foot-long sinkhole caused by a sewer line failure was discovered Tuesday under the main runway at Naval Air Station Jacksonville.

Airfield personnel found the sinkhole around 6:45 a.m. Tuesday during routine runway checks, according to a news release from NAS Jax.

Some raw sewage spilled onto the runway from the sinkhole, which is estimated to be 15 feet long by 5 feet wide and 3 feet deep.

Base experts are on the scene assessing the damage and coordinating with contractors for repairs. Environmental personnel have determined there are no health hazards or risk to the environment.

Base personnel are notifying state and city officials, and specialized vacuum trucks are at the sewage lift stations to collect sewage during the repair.

NAS Jax continues to conduct limited flight operations despite the disruption on a section of the runway. The base is also coordinating with Jacksonville Airport Authority, Cecil Airport and the Jax Jet Port to support aircraft that require greater than 6,000 feet of runway.