Board's Chairman Chides FAA for No Action on Recommendations
National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Mark Rosenker testified June 6 that the Federal Aviation Administration is moving too slowly on six recommendations on the board's Most Wanted List that are in an unacceptable action status. Rosenker was testifying to the Subcommittee on Aviation of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Rosenker said five items on the list are been color-coded red, for Unacceptable Response. They concern reducing dangers to aircraft flying in icing conditions, preventing runway incursions, improving audio and data recorders and requiring video recorders on aircraft, reducing accidents caused by human fatigue, and improving air taxi crew resource management. The sixth item is eliminating flammable fuel/air vapors in fuel tanks of transport aircraft -- a Yellow code, meaning it is acceptable but progressing slowly.
Rosenker admitted the items are among the most complex and difficult to implement. "While the FAA has made some progress, I am disappointed that there are so many recommendations on this list that are in an unacceptable status," he added. For information on the items, visit www.ntsb.gov and look under "Most Wanted."