Most Wanted List: Ripe for Change
Since 1974, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has had a directive from Congress to seek ways to enhance transport safety, but it was not until 1990, that the concept of a “Most Wanted List” became a reality. This list helps to prioritize and direct the limited resources of the NTSB’s approximately 400 employees and serves as a beacon for safety advocates in the transportation industry.
The NTSB met on April 6th to hear their staff’s proposed items and vote on the 2021 – 2022 list. In his welcome message, Chairman Sumwalt stated that for items to be included on this list they must be “ripe for action and supported by data.” Links to the finalized NTSB Most Wanted is included at the end of this post.
Remember, the NTSB can only make recommendations and has no authority to require action. There is an average of 1,100 – 1,200 open recommendations and the Most Wanted List helps to narrow their focus with a list of solutions.
The NTSB is charged with transportation safety which includes land, air, sea, rail, and pipeline. This blog post will focus on aviation related proposals. Additional recommendations are included at the end for awareness, but we will focus on aviation safety enhancements.
The Office of Aviation Safety had only one addition to the Most Wanted List:
Require and Verify the Effectiveness of Safety Management Systems (SMS) in All Revenue Passenger-Carrying Aviation Operations
The NTSB first recommended SMS in 2007 for Part 121 operators. Since 2015, this has been a recommendation five times and the NTSB considers the FAA’s level of action as insufficient. NTSB investigations have found that without FAA oversight of these programs they are often ineffective. They stated that aviation operators may have the tools and policies in place, but they are not effectively using them.
Often, we hear operators pushing back on SMS implementation stating that they are too small, and it is too much of a financial or resource burden. An effective SMS can be scalable and even a single-pilot operation can have an SMS. Size is not an excuse. The NTSB also highlighted the fact that participation in the FAA’s SMS Voluntary Program is exceptionally low with only 20 Part 135 operators (out of 1,900+) that have a formally FAA accepted SMS and approximately 213 at various stages in the process.
In further questioning, Member Graham asked for expansion on what “verify the effectiveness of SMS” means. This was clarified by Director Schulze that the intent is having FAA oversight of an operator’s SMS to ensure the processes are being followed (even if not mandated by regulation at this point). Additionally, Member Graham asked about the role that “third party auditors” may play in implementation of this recommendation. Director Schulze stated that while not specifically addressed by the NTSB, these third-party industry organizations that provide auditing are a positive step towards meeting the recommendation of having an effective SMS.
We can all do our part to improve transport safety. Talking about it is the first step but change requires action. Do the right thing and insist that those around you do the same.
Photo Credit: Tim Mossholder via Unsplash
Implementing and maintaining an effective SMS requires a focused effort by an organization. While challenging, this is an achievable goal when approached in a phased and systematic approach.
Click here to learn how VyClimb can help you achieve this goal.
The Office of Research & Engineering had three additions with one related to aviation safety:
Install Crash-Resistant Recorders and Establish Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) Programs
These systems would provide cockpit images and audio that would aid the investigation process as well as provide a means to aid in proactive accident prevention. In 2013, the NTSB recommended that the FAA require cockpit image recording on all turbine-powered aircraft and has directed these recommendations to operators and manufacturers. Cost, retrofit challenges, security, and privacy are often cited as barriers to FDM. Are any of these excuses more important than preserving human life? It is important to note that having a crash-resistant recorder is not enough. Operators must have robust FDM programs to regularly analyze this data in order to proactively enhance the safety of their operations.
Waiting for the next accident is unacceptable.
The complete and finalized Most Wanted List includes the following items and additional information can be found on the NTSB website via the links below:
Aviation Safety:
Require and Verify the Effectiveness of Safety Management Systems (SMS) in All Revenue Passenger-Carrying Aviation Operations
Install Crash-Resistant Recorders and Establish Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) Programs
Highway Safety:
Implement a Comprehensive Strategy to Reduce Speeding-Related Crashes
Protect Vulnerable Road Users Through a Safe System Approach
Prevent Alcohol- and Other Drug-Impaired Driving
Require Collision-Avoidance & Connected-Vehicle Technologies on All Vehicles
Eliminate Distracted Driving
Marine Safety:
Improve Passenger & Fishing Vessel Safety
Railroad, Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety:
Improve Pipeline Leak Detection & Mitigation
Improve Rail Work Safety
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