Changes Could Result In Even Fewer Fatalities On US Transport Planes

Could changes in the FAA's process in evaluating safety-critical systems on new transport category aircraft result in even fewer fatalities?

The National Transportation Safety Board believes so... and after reviewing four major accidents investigated by the Board between 1994 and 2001 (that, collectively, accounted for 60 percent of the air carrier fatalities in that period), the agency has listed some areas it believes could use some improvement.

While stressing that overall, the Board found that the FAA's certification process is sound and produces a high level of safety -- the NTSB did make three recommendations for improving the process, dealing with documenting the identification of safety-critical systems, ensuring that the identification process includes evaluation of structural failures and human/airplane system interaction failures, and assessing safety-critical systems throughout the life of the aircraft.

"This is a valuable report that goes to the heart of our air safety system," said NTSB Acting Chairman Mark V. Rosenker. "If we are to maintain and improve our safety record, we must be sure to learn from the tragic accidents in the past."

A synopsis of those recommedations will be listed shortly on the NTSB's website, with the full report to be released at a later date.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov