NTSB Issues Safety Recommendation to FAA Regarding Flap Position Callouts

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued a formal safety recommendation, designated as A-11-022 and referenced under NTSB number DCA08MA085. This directive is addressed specifically to the Federal Aviation Administration. The core of the recommendation urges the FAA to require manufacturers and operators subject to 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121, 135, and 91 subpart K to design new checklists or revise existing ones. These updated procedures must ensure that pilots clearly call out and respond with the actual flap position during operations. The NSB notes that current practices often involve pilots simply stating "set" or "as required," which lacks the specificity needed for robust safety verification. This change aims to eliminate ambiguity in critical flight phases by mandating explicit confirmation of the exact flap configuration.