NTSB Wants FAA to Expedite Action on "Most Wanted" Safety List

The chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) told the U.S, Congress that he is disappointed about the number of "most wanted" recommendations from the Board to the FAA that remain in an unacceptable action status.

Chairman Mark V. Rosenker noted that five of the Board's six recommended items have been color-coded red, meaning the FAA's response has been unacceptable.  These five items pertain to:

1. Reducing the dangers to aircraft flying in icing conditions.
2. Preventing runway incursions.
3. Improving aircraft audio and data recorders and requiring video recorders on some aircraft.
4. Reducing accidents caused by human fatigue.
5. Improving crew resource management for Part 135 (air taxi) operations.

The Board says the FAA's response to its sixth item, eliminating flammable fuel/air vapors in fuel tanks of transport category aircraft, is acceptable but progressing slowly, and gave it a yellow color code.

While Chairman Rosenker concedes that items on the list tend to be those that are among the most complex and difficult to implement, he still said he was disappointed "that there are so many recommendations on this list that are in an unacceptable status."

More details of the Board's rationale on each of these recommendations can be found on its Website under "Speeches and Testimony."  06-09-2007.

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