Calls On FAA, Union To Monitor & Combat Fatigue

The subject of proper rest practices for air traffic controllers was thrust into the public consciousness in the wake of the takeoff crash of Comair Flight 5191 last August, when it came to light only one controller was on duty in the tower at Blue Grass Airport in Lexington, KY... and that the lone controller had worked a full shift prior to the accident shift, with only two hours of sleep in between.

While the National Transportation Safety Board hasn't yet ruled on the Probable Cause of the fatal accident -- or what possible role, if any, the controller could have had in preventing the crash, in which the plane's flight crew lined up on the wrong runway at LEX -- on Tuesday the agency issued the following safety recommendations addressing concerns stemming from fatigued controllers. Those recommendations follow below.

The National Transportation Board makes the following recommendations:

To the Federal Aviation Administration:

Work with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association to reduce the potential for controller fatigue by revising controller work-scheduling policies and practices to provide rest periods that are long enough for controllers to obtain sufficient restorative sleep and by modifying shift rotations to minimize disrupted sleep patterns, accumulation of sleep debt, and decreased cognitive performance. (A-07-30)

Develop a fatigue awareness and countermeasures training program for controllers and for personnel who are involved in the scheduling of controllers for operational duty that will address the incidence of fatigue in the controller workforce, causes of fatigue, effects of fatigue on controller performance and safety, and the importance of using personal strategies to minimize fatigue. This training should be provided in a format that promotes retention, and recurrent training should be provided at regular intervals. (A-07-31)

Require all air traffic controllers to complete instructor- led initial and recurrent training in resource management skills that will improve controller judgment, vigilance, and safety awareness. (A-07-34)

To the National Air Traffic Controllers Association:

Work with the Federal Aviation Administration to reduce the potential for controller fatigue by revising controller work-scheduling policies and practices to provide rest periods that are long enough for controllers to obtain sufficient restorative sleep and by modifying shift rotations to minimize disrupted sleep patterns, accumulation of sleep debt, and decreased cognitive performance. (A-07-32)

FMI: www.ntsb.gov/recs/letters/2007/