NTSB · Safety Recommendation
Safety Recommendation A-73-023
Recommendation
CONTINGENT UPON FAVORABLE RESULTS OF THE EVALUATION OF THE NEW MODEL AIRPORT SURFACE DETECTION EQUIPMENT ASDE "BRITE" DISPLAY CURRENTLY BEING CONDUCTED BY THE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS CENTER, INSTALL THAT EQUIPMENT FIRST AT THE THREE LOCATIONS WHERE "BRITE" EQUIPMENT IS NOW USED.
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
THE FAA AGREES THAT IMPROVEMENTS TO ASDE DEVELOPED BY TSC SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED AT THE THREE LOCATIONS. HOWEVER, IN THE INTERIM THEIR AIRWAY FACILITIES SERVICE IS MAKING A CONCERTED EFFORT TO IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PRESENT ASDE BRITE.