NASA puts gag on Aviation Safety study...

[a_lost_packet_]

This just doesn't sound "right." Not only are the summary, conclusions and recommendations not going to be released, but the data is has been ordered to be destroyed. 8.5 million dollars and four years of work is going to be round-filed because they're afraid it would erode public confidence in aviation? That's... That's freaking stupid. WTF? <br /><br />http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21420050/ <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1">I put on my robe and wizard hat...</font> </div>

 

[kerberus]

hehe Nothing to see here, move along please and get on your airplane. <img src="/images/icons/crazy.gif" /><br /><br />If most passengers knew what was going on and the number of incidents and cutting of safety corners, the airlines would be in trouble. Just earlier this summer, Delta and United averted killing over 300 people down in Florida by less than 100 feet, but they managed to keep it mostly out of the media. Scary stuff. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[a_lost_packet_]

I can understand not wanting to upset the populace. But, seriously, I have to wonder why they aren't more forthcoming about this data and why they are not able to put sufficient "Spin" on it to the public so, at least, the public understands that airline safety may have it's problems, but the track record for deadly accidents isn't bad.<br /><br />I drive my car. Occasionally, I get into "close calls." I do not drive nearly as much as some airplanes fly. I drive to work, home, to the store and occasionally someplace else. Every once-in-a-while I drive out of town. Sometimes, during those drives, I witness problems or have "close calls." But, it doesn't make me think that my driving would be any safer if I didn't know about them. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1">I put on my robe and wizard hat...</font> </div>

 

[kerberus]

They are gambling that they can keep the number of accidents down to an acceptable level (acceptable being relative). Overall, they can point to improved safety numbers, but the disturbing trend is towards a lesser margin of safety. The question becomes, how small a margin is acceptable. And it's not all the airlines fault, of course. The national airspace system is antiquated and increasingly dangerous, but the FAA isn't going to fix it because taxpayers are not willing to pay for it. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[a_lost_packet_]

It's problems like that which could bring public awareness to the issue and give the taxpayers reason to want to "fix" things. I guess I'm just flabbergasted that a study which was done with such detail is going to be round-filed just because it has some things to say that people don't want to hear.<br /><br />Would it seriously impact airlines? Would travel drop? Maybe for a short while. But, ignorance isn't bliss and I don't see why a calm and reasonable approach towards disseminating this new information could be harmful if it was handled appropriately. There are people out there that <b>need</b> this information to better ensure safety. Is putting lives at risk by choosing ignorance better?<br /><br />I know I'm preaching to the choir. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> I'm just fairly worked up that four years worth of data is being ordered to be destroyed. Data that could be used to protect lives. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1">I put on my robe and wizard hat...</font> </div>

 

[kerberus]

Yeah, it is a waste of good info. <img src="/images/icons/frown.gif" /><br /><br />My company, Delta, started a similar thing a few years ago within the company. Pilots were encouraged to report through an anonymous system any errors or potential violations they had unintentionally made. To encourage participation, the company and the FAA agreed to waive any enforcement action against participating pilots if their error was subsequently discovered or investigated by either the company or FAA. The results were impressive, and several safety changes were made to our procedures as a direct result. I can't help but think that a national study like the one by NASA would have similar positive results. I think the fly in the ointment, however, would be the reluctance of the industry to let the results be made public. It's going to have to be done quietly. Incidentally, there is a system run by NASA independently of the airlines that allows pilots to report incidents but I have no idea how effective it is. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>