NTSB · Safety Recommendation
Safety Recommendation A-96-135
Recommendation
THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE FAA: REVISE FACILITY OPERATION & ADMINISTRATION HANDBOOK 7210.3, OR OTHER APPROPRIATE ORDERS, TO REQUIRE THAT WHEN A TOWER SHUTS DOWN FOR ANY REASON, & IF THE TOWER CONTROLLERS HAVE TIME TO RECORD A NEW AUTOMATIC TERMINAL INFO SERVICE (ATIS) INDICATING THAT THE TOWER IS CLOSED, THEY SHOULD DO SO.
Safety Issue and Context
ON 11/12/95, AT 0056 EASTERN TIME (EST), AMERICAN AIRLINES (AAL) FLIGHT 1572, A MCDONNELL DOUGLAS MD-80, REGISTERED IN THE UNITED STATES AS N566AA, STRUCK TREES ON A RIDGE LINE NORTHEAST OF THE AIRPORT, IN EAST GRANBY, CONNECTICUT, WHICH IS ABOUT 2.54 MILES FROM THE END OF RUNWAY 15, AT BRADLEY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (BDL) WINDSOR LOCKS, CONNECTICUT. THE TREE STRIKE OCCURRED DURING AN INSTRUMENT APPROACH TO RUNWAY 15 IN DARKNESS & IN VARIABLE WIND CONDITIONS. BOTH ENGINES SUBSEQUENTLY LOST POWER FOLLOWING INGESTION OF TREE LIMBS, BUT THE FLIGHTCREW WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE THE FLIGHT TO THE AIRPORT. THE AIRPLANE WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING THE EMERGENCY LANDING.
ONE OF THE 72 PASSENGERS RECEIVED A MINOR INJURY DURING THE EMERGENCY EVACUATION, & NONE OF THE FIVE CREWMEMBERS WAS INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT. THE FLIGHT, WHICH WAS OPERATING UNDER 14 CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS PART 121, ORIGINATED AT O"HARE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ABOUT 2 HOURS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.
Response History
June 24, 1998 · NTSB Correspondence · FAA
A-96-135 ASKED THE FAA TO REVISE FACILITY OPERATION & ADMINISTRATION HANDBOOK 7210.3, OR OTHER APPROPRIATE ORDERS, TO REQUIRE THAT WHEN A TOWER SHUTS DOWN FOR ANY REASON, & IF THE TOWER CONTROLLERS HAVE TIME TO RECORD A NEW AUTOMATIC TERMINAL INFO SERVICE (ATIS) INDICATING THAT THE TOWER IS CLOSED, THEY SHOULD DO SO. BECAUSE THIS REVISION SATISFIES THE INTENT OF THE RECOMMENDATION, THE BOARD CLASSIFIES A-96-135 "CLOSED--ACCEPTABLE ACTION."
February 2, 1998 · Recipient Response · FAA
(Letter Mail Controlled 2/10/98 3:22:25 PM MC# 980161) THE FAA AGREES WITH THE INTENT OF THIS RECOMMENDATION & HAS ISSUED A REVISION TO ORDER 7210.3P, FACILITY OPERATION & ADMINISTRATION. PARAGRAPH 2-1-7 REQUIRES THAT WHEN A CONTROL TOWER IS CLOSED FOR ANY REASON, CONTROLLERS SHOULD MAKE A NEW AUTOMATIC TERMINAL INFO SERVICE BROADCAST, IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, INDICATING THAT THE TOWER IS CLOSED.
June 26, 1997 · NTSB Correspondence · FAA
A-96-135 ASKED THE FAA TO REVISE FACILITY OPERATION & ADMINISTRATION HANDBOOK 7210.3, OR OTHER APPROPRIATE ORDERS, TO REQUIRE THAT WHEN A TOWER SHUTS DOWN FOR ANY REASON, & IF THE TOWER CONTROLLERS HAVE TIME TO RECORD NEW AUTOMATIC TERMINAL INFO SERVICE (ATIS) INDICATING THAT THE TOWER IS CLOSED, THEY SHOULD DO SO. PENDING THE AMENDMENT OF ORDER 7210.3, A-96-135 IS CLASSIFIED "OPEN--ACCEPTABLE RESPONSE."
February 24, 1997 · Recipient Response · FAA
THE FAA AGREES WITH THE INTENT OF THE RECOMMENDATION & WILL REVISE ORDER 7210.3.