NTSB Issues Safety Recommendation A-18-023 to FAA Regarding Visual Approach Frequency Tuning

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued safety recommendation A-18-023, designated under investigation number DCA17IA148, addressed directly to the Federal Aviation Administration. This directive urges the agency to work closely with air carriers conducting operations under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 to enhance safety protocols for charted visual approaches. Specifically, the NTSB requires that these carriers assess all such approaches that mandate a backup frequency to determine whether their fleet's flight management systems possess autotuning capabilities. The recommendation further instructs operators to identify those specific approaches that necessitate unusual or abnormal manual frequency inputs. To mitigate potential risks associated with manual entry errors, the NTSB advises that carriers either develop an effective autotune solution or ensure that the manual tune entry displays sufficient salience on approach charts.