NTSB Issues Safety Recommendation A-17-037 to FAA Regarding Ketchikan Air Tour Training

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued safety recommendation A-17-037, designated as ANC15MA041, to the Federal Aviation Administration. This directive urges the agency to work directly with members of the Ketchikan air tour industry to improve existing training programs. The primary goal is to reduce the risk of weather-related accidents involving the continuation of flight under visual flight rules into instrument meteorological conditions. The recommendation places special attention on human factors issues identified during the investigation. These issues include the need to help pilots better calibrate what constitutes safe weather conditions based on objective standards, such as set criteria for landmark visibility from specific locations. Additionally, the NSB highlights the necessity of helping pilots new to the area recognize dynamic local weather patterns that can create dangerous situations. The recommendation also addresses operational influences on pilot decision-making. This safety directive has been superseded by A-22-26.