NTSB · Safety Recommendation
Safety Recommendation A-72-093
Recommendation
TO THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: ACCELERATE ITS CONSIDERATION TO REQUIRE ALL PART 121 AIR CARRIERS TO DEVELOP AND INITIATE APPROVED TRAINING PROGRAMS CONCERNING HAZARDOUS MATERIALS, AND TO REQUIRE INCLUSION OF PERTINENT MATERIAL IN THE CARRIER'S OPERATIONS MANUALS. IT IS ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO ESTABLISHING A SIMILAR MANUAL REQUIREMENT FOR THOSE PART 135 OPERATORS WHO REGULARLY TRANSPORT THESE MATERIALS.
Safety Issue and Context
THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD INITIATED THIS STUDY IN ORDER TO INVESTIGATE A RADIOACTIVE CONTAMINATION INCIDENT INVOLVING A U.S. AIR CARRIER AND TO INVESTIGATE ALL ASPECTS OF THE AIR SHIPMENT OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS. THE SAFETY BOARD'S STUDY LED IT TO THE CONCLUSION THAT, AT THE PRESENT TIME, THE RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS CARRIED BY AIR DO NOT NORMALLY CONSTITUTE ANY UNUSUAL RISK OF LIFE TO THE PUBLIC. NEVERTHELESS, AS THE GOVERNMENT RELINQUISHES MORE OF ITS ACTIVITIES TO PRIVATE INDUSTRY AND AS THE NUCLEAR INDUSTRY CONTINUES ITS PHENOMENAL GROWTH, THE PROLIFERATION OF THE SYSTEM PRESENTS NEW DEMANDS FOR VIGILANCE IF THE CURRENT MINIMAL RISK TO THE PUBLIC IS NOT TO RISE.
ACCORDINGLY, THE BOARD'S PRIMARY CONCERN IS NOT THE RISKS ENGENDERED BY PRESENT OPERATIONS, BUT RATHER, IT IS THE RISK POTENTIAL CREATED BY THE RAPID EXPANSION OF THE NUCLEAR INDUSTRY.
Response History
July 5, 1972 · Recipient Response · FAA
AMENDMENTS TO PARTS 121 AND 135 OF FAR'S CONFORMING TO THIS RECOMMENDATION WILL BE ISSUED ON OR ABOUT APRIL 1, 1973. NOTE: ON JUNE 7, 1973, FAA AMENDED FAR PARTS 121 AND 135 TO CONFORM TO THIS RECOMMENDATION.