A-76-058
NTSB Safety Recommendation — Aviation
Recommendation text
CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF THE HUMAN FAILURE ASPECTS OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM ERRORS THAT HAVE OCCURRED SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF TERMINAL AND EN ROUTE AUTOMATION AND TAKE ACTION TO MAKE THE NATIONAL AIRSPACE SYSTEM LESS VULNERABLE TO THE HUMAN FAILURE ELEMENT, EITHER BY CHANGES IN PROCEDURES, TRAINING, SUPERVISION, PERFORMANCE MONITORING, AND SELECTION STANDARDS, OR BY PROVIDING INCREASED REDUNDANCY IN THE MAN-MACHINE RELATIONSHIP.
In plain language (FlightFinder summary)
The FAA is asked to investigate how human mistakes contribute to air traffic control errors that have happened since automation was introduced. The goal is to reduce the system's reliance on perfect human performance by improving training, supervision, and selection criteria, or by adding backup systems to support controllers. This approach aims to make the national airspace safer by addressing vulnerabilities related to human error in automated environments.
This plain-language summary is written by FlightFinder to explain the recommendation above. It is not the official wording — the verbatim NTSB text is quoted above.
Details
| Status | Closed - Acceptable Action |
|---|---|
| Mode | Aviation |
| Closed | Mar 15, 1979 |
| NTSB number | DCA76AZ015 |
| Addressees | FAA |
External links
NTSB safety recommendations are advisory; addressees are not legally required to adopt them. Source: NTSB CAROL (public domain).