NTSB · Safety Recommendation
Safety Recommendation A-73-022
Recommendation
NOT PROCEED WITH THE SCHEDULED INSTALLATION OF "BRITE" DISPLAYS AT OTHER AIRPORT SURFACE DETECTION EQUIPMENT ASDE-EQUIPPED FACILITIES WHICH NOW USE THE DIRECT VIEW RADAR DISPLAY UNTIL SATISFACTORY OPERATION OF "BRITE" EQUIPMENT IS ACHIEVED AT THE THREE FACILITIES WHERE IT IS NOW INSTALLED.
Safety Issue and Context
DURING THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD'S INVESTIGATION OF THE GROUND COLLISION ACCIDENT WHICH OCCURRED AT O'HARE INTERNATIONALAIRPORT, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ON DECEMBER 20, 1972, WE LEARNED THAT VISIBILITY FROM THE TOWER CAB, OFFICIALLY REPORTED AS ONE-FOURTH OF A MILE, LIMITED SEVERELY THE CONTROLLERS' ABILITY TO SEE GROUND TRAFFIC ON THE AIRPORT. THEREFORE, CONTROLLER PERSONNEL CONCERNED WITH THE TWO AIRCRAFT INVOLVED IN THE COLLISION WERE UNABLE TO MONITOR VISUALLY THE MOVEMENTS OF EITHER AIRCRAFT AT ANY TIME, EXCEPT FOR A BRIEF TIME WHEN THE DC-9 TAXIED FROM THE TERMINAL GATE.UNDER THE EXISTING CIRCUMSTANCES, NO ONE IN THE TOWER CAB SAW THE ACCIDENT.
Response History
August 16, 1974 · NTSB Correspondence · FAA
Closed--Acceptable Action.
June 1, 1973 · Recipient Response · FAA
A-73-22-THE FAA SYSTEM RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICE HAVE INITIATED ASDE IMPROVEMENTS TO PERMIT ITS USE IN THE NAS SYSTEM UNTIL SUCH TIME AS A NEW "ALL WEATHER" AIR GROUND GUIDANCE AND CONTROL SYSTEM IS DEVELOPED. THE FAA RECOGNIZE THAT THE ASDE BRITE PRESENTATION IS INFERIOR TO THE DIRECT VIEW CATHODE RAY PRESENTATION, BUT STATE, IT HAS THE ADVANTAGE OF PERMITTING THE CONTROLLER TO LOOK AT THE DISPLAY WITHOUT RESORTING TO A HOOD-TYPE VIEWER.