NTSB Issues Safety Recommendation to FAA Regarding Passenger Count Accuracy for Part 121 Carriers

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued Safety Recommendation A-16-027, designated under investigation number DCA15FA085, addressed directly to the Federal Aviation Administration. This directive urges the agency to clarify its guidance for all 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 air carriers. The core objective is to reinforce the critical importance of maintaining precise information regarding the total number of passengers aboard an airplane. This count must explicitly include lap-held children to ensure accuracy. Furthermore, the recommendation emphasizes that this data must be made immediately available to emergency responders following an accident. Ensuring rapid access to this information is essential to facilitate timely and effective search and rescue operations in the aftermath of an incident.