Summary:
- A New York Times report reveals a concerning trend of near misses between airplanes happening more frequently.
- Incidents of close calls, often due to human error and shortage of air traffic controllers, have raised safety concerns.
- The FAA asserts that despite challenges, the U.S. aviation system remains one of the safest globally.
- Aviation analyst John Nance highlights the need for backup systems and more air traffic controllers to enhance safety.
A new report from the New York Times reveals that near misses by airplanes might be more frequent than previously believed. The report highlights numerous incidents of close calls, with 46 such instances occurring just last month.
The New York Times has uncovered a troubling trend in the aviation industry, indicating that near misses between airplanes are occurring more frequently than anticipated. The report points out that these incidents, often referred to as 'near misses' or 'close calls,' are a cause for concern and are happening on a daily basis. In January, a Delta plane narrowly avoided colliding with an American Airlines flight on the wrong runway at JFK airport. The pilot's quick reaction prevented a potential disaster.
The next month, a FedEx cargo plane came within 100 feet of a Southwest flight carrying passengers in Austin. In another incident, a LearJet pilot took off despite air traffic control's instructions, forcing a JetBlue plane to make a sudden altitude change to avoid a collision in Boston. The New York Times review of internal FAA safety documents and a NASA database unveiled that only a fraction of such near misses are publicly disclosed, raising questions about the transparency of reporting such incidents.
The underlying causes of these near misses are attributed to factors such as human error, shortage of air traffic controllers, and increased air traffic. According to a Department of Transportation's Inspector General report, critical air traffic control facilities are often staffed below the minimum required levels due to a shortage of controllers. This shortage has resulted in controllers working overtime and extended work weeks, compromising the effectiveness of the system. Despite these challenges, the FAA maintains that the U.S. aviation system is one of the safest in the world.
Aviation analyst John Nance emphasizes the importance of having robust backup systems and an adequate number of air traffic controllers to prevent potential collisions. While aviation remains incredibly safe, the increasing frequency of near misses calls for continued vigilance and improvement within the industry.