Goal: Start Dialogue

The National Transportation Safety Board will host a forum on safety issues related to the US air cargo industry on March 30 - 31, 2004, at the new NTSB Academy in Ashburn (VA).

"The goal of this forum is to augment and support industry- government dialogue on air cargo safety and to help advance the important work currently being done in this area," said NTSB Chairman Ellen Engleman-Connors. "Air cargo is a critical segment of our transportation system and we need to do all we can to ensure that the highest safety standards are maintained."

The forum program will focus on four main areas - the current state of the cargo industry, operations, human factors, and regulatory issues. Papers on these topics will be presented by representatives of industry associations (Airline Pilots Association, Cargo Airline Association, Regional Airline Association, National Air Carrier Association), plus carriers like FedEx and Hawaiian Airlines, and the Federal Aviation Administration.

Chairman Engleman-Connors will open the forum; other Safety Board Members will attend.  NTSB staff will lead technical panel discussions that will examine the industry's pressing safety issues, potential solutions, and possible impediments to resolving safety concerns.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov