NTSB · Safety Recommendation
Safety Recommendation A-68-036
Recommendation
THE BOARD RECOMMENDED TO THE FAA THAT RADAR BE REQUIRED AS A THUNDERSTORM AVOIDANCE TOOL AND THIS BE REFLECTED IN THE THUNDERSTORM AVOIDANCE POLICY IN ALL OPERATIONS MANUALS.
Safety Issue and Context
THE SAFETY BOARD HAS BECOME DEEPLY CONCERNED WITH THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR OPERATING AIR CARRIER AIRCRAFT DURING PERIODS OF SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS. ACCORDINGLY, A SURVEY OF REPRESENTATIVE SCHEDULED AIR CARRIERS WAS CONDUCTED TO EXAMINE SUCH POLICIES AND PROCEDURES. THE GENERAL AREAS COVERED DURING THE SURVEY WERE: FLIGHT DISPATCHING, WEATHER FORECASTING AND THE USE OF AIRBORNE WEATHER RADAR.
Response History
January 16, 1969 · Recipient Response · FAA
1/16/69 -FAA requested the Boeing Company to revise the B-737 training manual to reflect thunderstorm avoidance as the primary function of airborne radar. The Boeing Company reassured the Safety Board that the manual changes had been effected.
July 17, 1968 · Recipient Response · FAA
-From D.D. Thomas, Acting Administrator: Thank you for your letter of June 25, 1968, expressing your concern over aircraft accidents, particularly the air carrier-type accident, which have occurred during periods of severe weather conditions. We fully share your concern and, as you know, we have been working with Dr. Kessler, Director, National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL), on this problem since 1961. In fact, Advisory Circular 00-24 is a direct result of NSSL activities on this problem.
We appreciate your comments on the advisory circular. Reaction from industry has been favorable. We are giving it widest dissemination in an attempt to reach every U. S. civil pilot.
We concur with the intent of your recommendations to amend Parts 121 and 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations; however, at this time we do not believe such regulatory changes would be practicable or effective. The answer, as we see it, rests at the present time in the education and training of pilots and dispatchers. Accordingly, we have again emphasized the importance of proper training on the subject of severe weather avoidance, including airbone weather radar use and interpretation. Further, through joint ESSA/FAA effort, progress is being made in exploring and establishing improved operational uti1ization of severe weather information.
As one of our follow up actions with respect to the AC, we sent advance copies of the circular and invited a cross representation of industry to meet with us on July 2, 1968, the day following official release of the AC. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss industry reactions to the circular and learn from industry representatives what more should be done to meet more fully our responsibilities to the aviation public. Your Mr. Alan Brunstein attended and contributed to the discussions. We believe this manual exchange of ideas will prove beneficial in future action on this critical area of concern.
A salient point brought out at the meeting was that "avoidance" of moderate or severe thunderstorms has become the standard operating procedure by the air carriers and other segments of industry present. We are evaluating all comments and suggest-ions to assist us in determining what further actions are needed.
Your letter to the airlines is excellent and we fully support and endorse it.