After successfully gaining regional airline participation in the Aviation Safety Action Programs, the National Transportation Safety Board issued a concern over the loss of several major carriers from the program including American, Delta and Comair. Related Story The Allied Pilots Association, in dropping the program, charged American was not honoring the spirit of the program by punishing pilots who make mistakes.
“The NTSB strongly urges all parties to do what is needed to reinstate proactive safety programs and keep existing programs viable and fully functioning,” NTSB Acting Chairman Mark V Rosenker said. “The Safety Board is concerned that these proactive, voluntary disclosure programs, in which pilots, mechanics, and dispatchers become additional ‘eyes and ears’ dedicated to aviation safety, are no longer available at several major air carriers. ASAP programs are a critical tool for addressing potential safety issues.”
The board’s concern was echoed by the Aerospace Industries Association when AIA President Marion Blakey urged airlines and pilot organizations to reinstate voluntary safety reporting programs to ensure the highest possible level of protection for the traveling public.
"Programs like ASAP are vital tools in aviation safety and have played a large role in making the last several years some of the safest in history," Blakey said. "These programs should be reinstated as soon as possible."
The programs have been used by most airlines since the 1990s. When incident information is reported through a voluntary program, it is analyzed by a team comprised of airline, union and FAA representatives. The team looks for causes and trends and makes recommendations to improve safety.