Air Traffic Controller to United Pilot: ‘Stop! Stop! Stop! Stop!’
Travel Blog • Jim Benning • 11.09.07 | 11:10 AM ET
This animated video released yesterday by the National Transportation Safety Board illustrating two near-collisions on U.S. runways this year should convince any skeptic that more needs to be done to prevent runway accidents. Most disturbing: audio of an air traffic controller yelling “Stop! Stop! Stop! Stop!” at a United Airlines pilot about to taxi onto a San Francisco runway—right into the path of a landing Delta jet. Fortunately, an accident was avoided this time. The NTSB called on the Federal Aviation Administration to step up safety procedures: “Until there is a system in place to positively control ground movements of all aircraft, with direct warning to pilots, the potential for this type of disaster will continue to be high.”
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Jim Benning is the editor and co-founder of World Hum.
Chad Nichols 11.09.07 | 1:20 PM ET
Whenever two aircraft get too close together it is cause for serious concern. Sadly this is going to happen more and more, as it is within the confines of the airports where aircraft regularly cross paths. What makes the situation more discouraging is knowing that there is limited pavement across the nation, yet a constant increase in travel. Add to the equation the fact that more folks are flying in regional jets with less passenger capacity (normally 50 to 90 passenger rather than 150 or more in the normal jets), it equates into more aircraft using the same amount of pavement/airspace. So the tug-of-war continues between compromising safety and the convenience of more flight selections.
Rob Mark 11.11.07 | 4:50 PM ET
Runway incursions are one of the most serious issues we face in the aviation industry Rolf.
What makes them so difficult to overcome is that they all involve people-induced errors, either pilots or air traffic controllers.
Your previous reader is right on the money with their comment.
In Chicago and New York for example however, the airport systems are being pressed heavily by local government for more flights because that translates into more money.
But that doesn’t mean it is safe.
FAA has started reregulating at places like JFK and is holding fast to slots to prevent too many flights at Chicago O’Hare.
The airlines don’t like it, nor do some customers, but if there ever is a situation where two airplanes collide again on the ground, everyone will be pointing fingers at everyone else.
As much as I hate the FAA getting involved in the business end too much, they had to do something because left to their own, the airlines were ignoring the problem.
Grizzly Bear Mom 04.25.08 | 1:25 PM ET
If the New York subway and auto manufacturers can put “buzzers” on their vehicles that inform drivers when they are too close, Why don’t they put htem on planes? Or ground pilots for a enough time that they are motivated to pay careful attention when flying?