High risk of "catastrophic" runway collision in U.S., congressional study says

[uppityperson]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/travel/2004054413_webrunways05.html

WASHINGTON — Air travelers face a high risk of a catastrophic collision on a U.S. airport runway because of faltering federal leadership, malfunctioning technology and overworked air traffic controllers, congressional investigators concluded Wednesday. The investigators gave the Federal Aviation Administration credit for reducing runway safety incidents from a peak in 2001 but said "FAA's runway safety efforts subsequently waned" as the number of incidents settled at a lower level.

Then in fiscal 2007, which ended Sept. 30, the incidents spiked to 370, or 6.05 runway incursions per 1 million air traffic control operations, almost returning to 2001's 407 incursions and 6.1 rate. An incursion is any aircraft, vehicle or person that goes where it shouldn't be in space reserved for take-off or landing. At this time, "no single office is taking charge of assessing the causes of runway safety problems and taking the steps needed to address those problems," the Government Accountability Office, Congress' investigative arm, said in a report requested by Rep. Jerry F. Costello, D-Ill., and Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg, D-N.J.

Then-Federal Aviation Administrator Marion Blakey stepped into that leadership void in August by calling an industrywide brainstorming conference to produce ideas for quick action. In October, the FAA reported progress on steps recommended by the August conclave, particularly in speeding improved runway markings and pilot training. The GAO report approved of those moves but also recommended more leadership from the FAA, improved data collection and a reduction in overtime required of air traffic controllers.

"This report makes clear that the Bush administration is cutting corners and failing to put passenger safety first," Lautenberg said. "The FAA is taking too many chances and ignoring too many red flags." Even though serious incursions, where a collision was narrowly averted, declined to a record low 24 in 2007 from 31 the year before, the report said they have remained high enough to pose "a high risk of a catastrophic runway collision."...

[Turbineguy]

1. Well that's one

Federal agency the Bush Admin has been less than successful in destroying. They'd better get with the program, only a year left. Or maybe they need to outlaw frivolous lawsuits from crash victims' families first.

[kestrel91316]

2. For once, I have NOTHING to add. You said it all for me.

[Turbineguy]

3. The problem with saying

things about the Bush Administration is I wonder if I go too far.

Then George comes on the tube and assures me I have not.