SAFETY
The cornerstone of our safety goals is that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must require the industry to comply promptly with 100% of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) fatal air crash derived safety recommendations.
The number of NTSB fatal air crash derived recommendations being held by the FAA in an
“Open-Unacceptable Response” status has grown dramatically from 43 to 74 as of September, 2001. The FAA’s past acceptance rate of 80% is unacceptable. One of the lessons learned on September 11th is that the U.S. cannot afford less than the best aviation safety and security in the world. Aviation is at a crisis, and the FAA lack of prompt action is a fatal problem. The money and technology are there and air travel should be as safe as possible. Safety delayed is safety denied.
NADA/F is calling for Congressional Hearings for public testimony about the lack of FAA and industry prompt compliance with NTSB recommendations. We cannot afford the decades of delays.
For example, passengers should not be forced to wait ten years for upgraded flight data recorders. Passengers should not have been forced to wait until March 20, 2001, five years after ValuJet, to have all commercial aircraft equipped with smoke detectors and fire suppression equipment in the cargo hold. For years FedEx has had smoke detectors in their cargo holds to protect airfreight—people need this same protection.
UPDATE: On March 20,
2001, the FAA kept their word to NADA/F that, “All commercial
aircraft would be in compliance or the planes would be parked.” Of
the 3,483 commercial aircraft in the U.S., 3,154 were converted on
time with smoke detectors and fire suppression equipment in the
cargohold, and 264 were “parked” until the maintenance was
completed. Also, 65 older jets that were not converted were grounded
and probably retired. The FAA yielded to our years of pressure and
did not grant the usual extensions and exemptions.
Hazardous materials should be banned from all passenger planes. There should be criminal prosecution against those who willfully violate hazardous materials shipping rules.
All aircraft flying in the U.S. should comply with the same standards as U.S. carriers. Safety standards should harmonize up—not harmonize down.
UPDATE: NADA/F is participating in the FAA ARAC (Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee) Issue Group approving the international harmonization safety standards. This is the first time that the traveling public has a voice and a vote in the process.
The FAA should direct that Air Cargo airlines adopt the One Level of Safety for air transport.
Fuel tank inerting must be considered as a viable remedy to prevent center wing tank fuel vapor explosions, which caused TWA800, and over 30 other aviation disasters. The military has used inerting for years, and commercial aircraft and passengers must be similarly protected.
UPDATE: NADA/F has 3 participants on the FAA Fuel Tank Inerting Harmonization Working Group, including two on the leadership committee. The industry issued a draft report during 2001 stating that it was “too expensive” to remedy this fatal flaw, however, NADA/F and our experts have challenged the flawed math and rationale, and will publicly file a dissent during 2002 if the FAA does not take action to prevent these explosions.
We need stricter controls and monitoring of the worldwide market of aircraft parts to prevent the use of bogus airplane parts.
The FAA should expedite the rule making and direct the airlines to require that all passengers under the age of two be secured in flight. All passengers should have safe transportation, especially our children. The hue and cry that parents will take to the highways does not stand the test—planes are full of children over the age of two. All children should have a seatbelt secured on board a flight, as required for the rest of the passengers.
UPDATE: The FAA assures us that this will be done—we keep on pressing!
November 5, 2001, NADA/F requested that Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta issue an Emergency Order requiring child restraint seats for children under the age of 2. In the wake of the September 11th tragedy, pilots may thwart a potential threat on board by putting airplanes into extreme positions, and all passengers need protection. The American Academy of Pediatrics has joined NADA/F and also called for mandatory children restraint seats for children under 2.
Update aircraft certification to require that all airplanes have wiring and cable in compliance with today’s industry standards. A thorough wiring/cable inspection must be completed on all aircraft flying worldwide, and the results of those inspections disclosed.
In light of the probable cause of TWA 800, and catastrophic wiring failure on Swissair 111, wiring and cable need to be elevated to a Center of Excellence status, with continual monitoring and surveillance, as well as an action plan for replacement of defective wiring.
All commercial airports should be equipped with Doppler radar.
All “black box” information such as the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorders (FDR) from air crashes should be equally available to family members and their attorneys. NADA/F supports implementation of cockpit cameras.
SECURITY
NADA/F supports the continued oil embargo of Libya, and full support for the civil trial of the terrorists, in order to investigate the link to Libya’s government and the bombing of
Pan Am 103. We must do everything possible to ensure that foreign governments pay the stiffest penalty possible for supporting terrorists. Special thanks to the Families of PA103 for their hard work in forcing the governments to bring the terrorists to an international trial and conviction at The Hague.
NADA/F has always supported a comprehensive airport and airline security program, and the events of September 11th proved that we cannot afford less than the best security in the world.
UPDATE! NADA/F organized an Action Alert so that everyone could present written Public Testimony regarding the Aviation Security Legislation, for the Public Record, to the U.S. House of Representatives, Subcommittee on Aviation.
NADA/F gave Congressional Testimony at the Hearings, and worked with the media, industry, government, and traveling public to collectively push for the highest standards of security. NADA/F was a voice of reason opposing the two months of political delays. NADA/F will also be the voice for the public on January 20th (and as long as it takes) when we learn the status of compliance with Security Legislation Requirements, such as 100% baggage x-ray and screening.
The FAA must enforce its own minimal security regulations. The FAA should not allow the airlines and shippers to put anything and everything into a cargo hold with no security checks. Cash payments for anonymous parcel shipping and unidentified couriers and baggage handlers must cease. Every person at an airport should be required to go through airport security.
Every person with an airport I.D. must be able to pass a five-year criminal and terrorist background check.
SURVIVABILITY
All new aircraft certification should be subject to an actual 90-second evacuation with 50% of the emergency exits disabled. The FAA “policy” of approving a paper proposal in place of an actual evacuation is an outrage.
UPDATE! The FAA listened to the public pressure, and has refused to certify the Airbus request to increase the separation between emergency exits from a maximum of 60’ to 74’.
Passengers who sit in emergency exit row seats should be denied alcoholic beverages.
SUPPORT OF VICTIMS’ FAMILIES
Successfully trained support personnel should be utilized to help the families short term and long term after an air disaster. Survivors and those who have lost loved ones in an aviation disaster provide a cadre of “wounded healers.” NADA/F stands ready to offer support to airline employees and volunteer personnel—to assist with airline disaster training, and to help after an aviation disaster.
NADA/F family members share a unique bond—some lost loved ones over 50 years ago, others lost loved ones more recently. The extended period of time for recovery, accident investigation, and litigation, is unique to families of air disasters, and the friendship, love and support we offer each other truly help people survive years of grief and hardship.
UPDATE! NADA/F organized a Family Support Team – FST network during 2001. NADA/F will enter into a contract with Emergency Services Providers to provide direct Support for Victims’ Families. We welcome FST Volunteers!
NADA/F Family Support Team was activated as a full partner to provide support for victims’ families at the Pentagon Family Command Center.
Our short-term work was completed on October 11th at the National Memorial Service at the Pentagon. Our long-term commitment to help victims’ families continues.
NADA/F’s air crash survivors and family members provide a unique service, and our services have been requested, especially to help those struggling to go back to work on a daily basis.
SAFETY/SECURITY RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE NTSB
A more direct NTSB “Most Wanted” Safety List is needed. There are presently 74 “Open—Unacceptable Response” items; however the “Most Wanted” list presently has 10 categories. We believe that technical recommendations arrived at through scientific crash investigation should be listed more specifically. Also, if the FAA has acted on a NTSB recommendation, but has allowed 3 to 5 years of delay time, the request should still be on the list.
For years the NTSB listed four unsolved air crashes, including United 585, 3-3-91. On March 24, 1999, after eight years, the NTSB publicly stated the probable cause of UA585 was a 737-rudder reversal.
UPDATE! On June 5, 2001, after ten years a REVISED FINAL REPORT for United 585 was issued, to clearly reflect the rudder reversal, and the report is available on the NTSB website.
Emery Worldwide Airfreight flight 17 warrants a true Public Hearing from the NTSB.
UPDATE!: Approved! A Petition and letters were initiated at the NADA/F fall, 2000 Annual Meeting, and this important request was approved. Date to be announced.
The Alaska 261 Public Hearings should be held on the west coast to give the family members access to the investigation information, and access to a preliminary briefing in compliance with the Family Assistance Act of 1996.
UPDATE!: Starting time was modified to 11AM to accommodate those on the west coast who were viewing the hearing. Special thanks to the AS261 Family Members for their hard work.
Considering the increase in NTSB time spent on fatal accident investigations it is time to have all NTSB records subject to Freedom of Information.
ADDITIONAL SAFETY/SECURITY RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE FAA
We recommend that all NADA/F recommendations for appointment to FAA ARAC (Aviation Rule-making Advisory) Committees, should continue to be approved, and public money should be allocated for travel expenses for those who are representing the passengers. The public should have representation equal to the industry. Committees need independent representation for the Chair positions.
UPDATE! NADA/F recommendations to FAA ARC Committees continue to be approved. We have grown from one representative in 1999 to 15 in 2001, and the numbers are increasing. NADA/F is one of the official member organizations of ARAC. NADA/F has a seat on the Executive Committee, members on the Issue Groups (whose meetings are open to the public), and members on the Working Groups (whose meetings are closed to the public). The FAA has demonstrated their commitment to continue to support our ARAC membership. Special thanks to our hard working volunteers!
The FAA Administrator and management should meet once a month with NADA/F.
The FAA should expedite the date requirement for upgraded flight data recorders, and release the status of airlines that have complied with the upgraded FDR directive.
The FAA should do everything possible to expedite the completion date for required safety improvements to 18 months or less.
The FAA should fully comply with all Freedom of Information requests in a timely manner, and not request legislation that prevents the disclosure of important air safety information.
Undercapitalized upstart airlines relying on antiquated leased equipment and lowest cost personnel should be denied Certification to Operate.
LEGISLATION NEEDED
· An “Equality” bill must become law to end discrimination against federal employees and other Americans impacted by government air crashes.
· A “Single Standard Aviation” bill, must be passed so that federal government and military personnel traveling by air would have equipment meeting the same safety standards as commercial passengers.
These laws would provide international air travelers and Americans traveling in the U.S. and overseas improved protection.
UPDATE! NADA/F organized a Legislative Committee in February, 2001, to identify and define our Legislative Priorities.
Congress should allocate a $5 Per Person User Protection Fee to be set aside from transportation taxes, to be administered with independent oversight. A consumer advocate such as Jim Burnett, or someone we trust like Mary Schiavo, could best represent the passengers in making safety—first decisions with tax money from airline tickets. We need a Public Protector to ensure greater safety for the passengers and crew.
UPDATE! February, 2001 NADA/F met with the FAA MAC, Management Advisory Council (aviation industry executives), and began dialogue about the need for independent oversight of the $5 to $7 billion per year Aviation Trust Fund, derived from transportation taxes.
