NTSB 2019–2020 Most Wanted List Calls for Flight Data Monitoring
The National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements outlines the critical changes that are needed to reduce transportation accidents, injuries, and fatalities. Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) is one of the recommendations for how to improve the safety of Part 135 aircraft flight operations:
Part 135 operators must implement safety management systems that include a flight data monitoring program, and they should mandate controlled flight-into-terrain-avoidance training that addresses current terrain-avoidance warning system technologies.
What is the problem and what can be done?
According to the NTSB website…
The Problem: Most of the organizations that conduct Part 135 operations do not have—and are not required to have—a safety management system (SMS), flight data monitoring (FDM), or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT)-avoidance training program. These programs enable operators to take a strategic approach to safety management, requiring that safety-focused policies, practices, and procedures be implemented to keep aircrews and passengers safe. SMS and FDM programs also yield data that can be used to improve safety practices to better prevent accidents.
What can be done: We know that SMS, FDM, and CFIT programs can improve safety and prevent crashes. We currently have 21 open safety recommendations addressing the safety gap in Part 135 operations. Operators must be proactive about safety; they should not wait for regulations or an accident to move them to action. Some operators have already incorporated SMS, FDM, and CFIT programs and are seeing tremendous safety returns.
Read more about the NTSB’s initiative to Improve the Safety of Part 135 Aircraft Flight Operations.
FDM Solutions from Appareo
Appareo provides a turnkey flight data monitoring system, including the Vision 1000, a low-cost flight data recording solution that can be utilized on any aircraft.
https://www.appareo.com/2019/02/20/ntsb-2019-2020-most-wanted-list-calls-for-flight-data-monitoring/