As promised in yesterday's post about the release of the NTSB report on Comair Flight 5191, today I'll set forth the safety recommendations from the synopsis report (just for the record). Most of the NTSB's recommendations are addressed to the FAA; one is directed to the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), the labor union representing air traffic controllers in the United States.Here are the new safety recommendations from the NTSB's synopsis report on the investigation of the Comair Flight 5191 accident investigation that are specifically related to pilots, piloting, and aircraft operation at airports:
- Require that all 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91K, 121, and 135 operators establish procedures requiring all crewmembers on the flight deck to positively confirm and cross-check the airplane’s location at the assigned departure runway before crossing the hold short line for takeoff. This required guidance should be consistent with the guidance in Advisory Circular 120‑74A and Safety Alert for Operators 06013 and 07003. (A-07-XX)
- Require that all 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91K, 121, and 135 operators install on their aircraft cockpit moving map displays or an automatic system that alerts pilots when a takeoff is attempted on a taxiway or a runway other than the one intended. (A-07-XX)
- Require that all airports certificated under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 139 implement enhanced taxiway centerline markings and surface painted holding position signs at all runway entrances. (A-07-XX)
- Prohibit the issuance of a takeoff clearance during an airplane’s taxi to its departure runway until after the airplane has crossed all intersecting runways. (A-07-XX)
- Revise Federal Aviation Administration Order 7110.65, “Air Traffic Control,” to indicate that controllers should refrain from performing administrative tasks, such as the traffic count, when moving aircraft are in the controller’s area of responsibility. (A-07-XX)
- Amend 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 91.129(i) to require that all runway crossings be authorized only by specific air traffic control clearance, and ensure that U.S. pilots, U.S. personnel assigned to move aircraft, and pilots operating under 14 CFR Part 129 receive adequate notification of the change. (A-00-67)
- Amend FAA Order 7110.65, “Air Traffic Control,” to require that, when aircraft need to cross multiple runways, air traffic controllers issue an explicit crossing instruction for each runway after the previous runway has been crossed. (A-00-68)
- Require that all 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 operators establish procedures requiring all crewmembers on the flight deck to positively confirm and cross-check the airplane’s location at the assigned departure runway before crossing the hold-short line for takeoff. (A-06-83)
- Require that all 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 operators provide specific guidance to pilots on the runway lighting requirements for takeoff operations at night. (A-06-84)
Remember: these are NTSB recommendations, not new regulations. It is now up to the FAA whether or not to implement or otherwise act upon the recommendations.
Readers who have opinions or observations about the accident or the NTSB's report are invited to share them in the comments section below this post. Should you not wish to be identified, you are welcome to comment anonymously.
Related: Click here to view all posts on this blog about Comair Flt 5191.
It seems a shame to me that it is necessary to have a recommendation to REQUIRE that all pilots check their heading to make sure they are on the correct runway! Shouldn't that be common sense? Shouldn't that be a part of EVERY pilot's takeoff procedure? If these two pilots had taken their job seriously, instead of just taking for granted it was an "easy takeoff", my beautiful daughter and the rest of the innocent people on that plane would still be alive. If the ATC had been watching the plane instead of counting the flights from the rest of his shift, he might have been able to stop this senseless mistake. (I have trouble calling it an accident..it was gross negligence!) Please, all of you pilots, ATC, etc....take your job seriously...take time to check and recheck...innocent people depend on YOU! My family will never be whole again because of a "ho-hum" additude on Aug. 27, 2006.
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I guess its hard to take a job seriously that pays a poverty wage from a company that constantly demoralizes and their employees. Look to the managers of Comair and to the customers that buy the cheapest ticket for your blame.
ReplyDeleteIf you read the cockpit transcript closely, you would have realized the captain had his family overnight with him at his hotel and that his sick infant kept him awake all night. If he had confidence that his chief pilot wouldn't fire him the next morning, maybe he would have called in fatigued and the flight would have had a properly rested captain. Having his family at the hotel was poor judgment on his behalf. The FO was desperately looking for a way out of Comair. I wonder why?! Take it from me, a former Comair pilot. I am sorry your daughter and all others were caught up in this.
Crew fatigue is a big issue. Airlines try to maximize the time they use the crews. Even with rules in effect, pilots can be routinely tired at work. A required rest period starts when you leave the airport and ends when you show back up. Now factor in going to the hotel, showering, eating, getting your clothes ready for tomorrow, getting up, eating breakfast, going back to the airport. How much time is left for sleep? Not much. Try this on a three or four day trip. Controller fatigue is also an issue. I am a pilot and take my job seriously. I can tell you that the rules can lead a pilot to be extremely tired at work. The pilots don't make the work rules. The government sets the standards.
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