Transportation - Monday, May 24, 2010 12:09 - 0 Comments

Air-Traffic Reports Top 14,000

A report in USA Today on the results from a new error-reporting program in the United States’ air-traffic system is rather shocking. It was reported by USA Today that thousands of previously-unknown hazards such as dangerous runway crossings and unreported midair problems are being revealed. In the 18 months since the Federal Aviation Administration kicked off the program – which guarantees employees immunity in exchange for honest accounts of all but the most serious lapses – the agency has received more than 14,000 reports, according to USA Today. It was reported that:

• About 45% of reports, or more than 6,000 since June 2008, are cases in which aircraft flew unapproved routes or came too close to another plane, and the lapse had not been reported through official channels. The cases are overwhelmingly minor, but they will allow the agency to target procedures to minimize risks.

• In late 2008, controllers began reporting numerous potentially dangerous cases of jets flying too fast as they departed to the south from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, said one controller.

• Bugs in sophisticated computerized autopilots are causing some jets departing from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport to turn too close to other aircraft. Controller reports have helped lead to software changes.

The federal government must take all steps necessary to make air travel as safe as reasonably possible. Not only should errors in the air-traffic system be reported, but preventative measures must be taken to eliminate errors.

Source: USA Today