General Aviation Safety Makes The Top Ten For The First Time

The NTSB on Thursday unveiled its new list of the most critical transportation issues that need to be addressed to improve safety and save lives. The new "Most Wanted List" highlights 10 safety issues that impact transportation nationwide. The announcement of the new list came at a news conference in Washington, D.C. in which each of the five members of the Board spoke briefly about the issues on the list. Aviation-specific issues make up three of the top ten spots.

"The NTSB's ability to influence transportation safety depends on our ability to communicate and advocate for changes," said NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman. "The Most Wanted List is the most powerful tool we have to highlight our priorities."

NTSB began issuing an annual Most Wanted List in 1990. The list released today is the first one produced under a revised format developed by the agency over the past several months in an effort to modernize and streamline the list. This year's list features 10 broad issue areas that the NTSB will highlight in its advocacy efforts during the next year.

NTSB Chair Hersman

The issue areas on the new Most Wanted List are:

• Promote pilot and air traffic controller professionalism
• Improve general aviation safety
• Improve runway safety
• Address human fatigue
• Promote teen driving safety
• Improve motorcycle safety
• Require safety management systems
• Address alcohol-impaired driving
• Improve bus occupant safety
• Require image and onboard data recorders

FMI: www.ntsb.gov