NTSB · Safety Recommendation
Safety Recommendation A-21-044
Recommendation
TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE: Work with the Federal Aviation Administration to operationalize a turbulence nowcast, such as the graphical turbulence guidance nowcast.
Safety Issue and Context
Turbulence-related accidents are the most common type of accident involving air carriers operating under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 121. From 2009 through 2018, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found that turbulence-related accidents accounted for more than a third of all Part 121 accidents; most of these accidents resulted in one or more serious injuries but no aircraft damage.
This NTSB safety research report examines the prevalence and risk factors of turbulence-related accidents in Part 121 air carrier operations; assesses the effectiveness of policies, programs, technologies, and other applicable safety countermeasures; and makes recommendations for improving turbulence avoidance and injury mitigation.
Response History
August 15, 2023 · NTSB Correspondence · United States Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Weather Service
We continue to believe your efforts thus far to meet with the FAA and the National Center for Atmospheric Research to discuss this recommendation and develop a plan to operationalize the GTGN are positive. Pending our receipt of future updates, Safety Recommendation A-21-44 remains classified OPEN-- ACCEPTABLE RESPONSE.
December 19, 2022 · Recipient Response · United States Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Weather Service
-From John D. Murphy, Chief Operating Officer, NOAA National Weather Service: No new details beyond the February 2022 update are available at this time. We will update again when there is appreciative progress.
April 1, 2022 · NTSB Correspondence · United States Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Weather Service
We note that you have met with the FAA and the National Center for Atmospheric Research to discuss this recommendation. We also note that you have developed a plan to operationalize the GTGN; however, you are waiting for approval from the FAA and NWS leadership before moving forward.
In response to Safety Recommendation A-21-34, the companion recommendation we issued to the FAA, the FAA informed us that it does not plan to operationalize nowcast meteorological information for tactical and strategic decision making in air traffic control (ATC) facilities because it does not want to distract controllers from the primary duty of separating aircraft. We point out, however, that the intent of this recommendation is to operationalize the GTGN for those individuals within the ATC operation who are not actively separating aircraft—such as supervisors and traffic management units.
We are encouraged by your efforts thus far to operationalize the GTGN. Pending our receipt of updates as you progress toward this goal, Safety Recommendation A-21-44 is classified OPEN-- ACCEPTABLE RESPONSE.