Why Near Misses, Runway Incursions, and Exploding Airplane Windows Remain Challenges for the FAA

Aviation safety is a paramount concern, continually improved upon by aviation authorities worldwide through rigorous study and advanced research. Despite the constant efforts and advancements, incidents such as near misses, runway incursions, and exploding airplane windows still pose significant challenges to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Continuous Safety Improvements

Aviation authorities, including the FAA, are dedicated to identifying and addressing safety issues. They spend time and resources investigating incidents and developing potential solutions. The primary issue is human involvement. Humans design, build, maintain, service, and fly aircraft. These human activities all carry the inherent risk of mistakes or errors.

The Role of Human Factors

Removing human involvement entirely is impossible, and it would significantly alleviate most issues. This leaves material and structural failures as the main causative factors in incidents. Humans are at the core of aviation operations, and their actions play a critical role in ensuring safety.

Human Factors Science

There is a comprehensive field of study dedicated to understanding and mitigating human errors in aviation operations. This field, known as Human Factors, explores the psychological and physical aspects of human performance and the impact of the environment and technology on this performance.

Media and Public Perception

The news media plays a significant role in shaping public perception about aviation safety. When incidents occur, media outlets jump on the stories to fill airtime and newspaper space. News stations rarely report on the thousands of successful flights that occur every day in the National Airspace System (NAS). Can you imagine an evening news show opening with a lead story like this: "Today was a beautiful day, and no one was killed or injured. There were no accidents, no crimes committed, and the weather was perfect with clear skies and a 75° high temperature." It wouldn't draw viewers.

Comparative Analysis of Regulatory Approaches

While the FAA faces challenges, it is important to recognize that it does not have a greater problem than other National Aviation Authorities (NAAs). Some NAAs have taken a more stringent regulatory approach with extensive paperwork and regulations, often believing that they have a safer system due to the volume of rules. However, this approach is not without its drawbacks. Corruption and bribery can be rampant in some other NAAs, which is not a concern within the FAA's jurisdiction.

Conclusion

Despite the persistent challenges posed by near misses, runway incursions, and exploding airplane windows, the FAA continues to work towards improving aviation safety. While human factors cannot be completely eliminated, efforts are ongoing to mitigate these risks and enhance overall safety standards.

The FAA remains committed to continuously evaluating and improving its regulatory framework to ensure the highest possible level of safety in U.S. airspace. Education, training, and the application of Human Factors principles will continue to play a vital role in these efforts.