FAA told to get aggressive in enforcing safety guidelines

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- The agency investigating last summer's Comair plane crash in Lexington that killed 49 people has instructed the Federal Aviation Administration to "become more aggressive" in enforcing new safety recommendations issued after the crash.

In a response to written questions submitted last month from U.S. Rep. Ben Chandler, the National Transportation Safety Board said it had found several examples of crews failing take the extra steps to cross-check a plane's runway location prior to takeoff.

The NTSB issued the cross-check recommendation last December.

Although FAA had imposed an advisory guidance known as a SAFO in September urging better runway awareness, NTSB said it expressed concern that SAFOs are not mandatory and might not be followed.

"The board found several operators that had not established the recommended procedures and told the FAA to move beyond providing advisory information and become more aggressive in affecting change in this area," NTSB wrote.

Chandler, D-Ky., who had presented questions to NTSB, the National Air Disaster Alliance and FAA, complained about the FAA's lag in answering his questions.

"I see this delay as a reflection of the FAA's repeated failure to promptly and adequately address air safety concerns and a great disservice to the families of victims of the Comair crash and to the general public," Chandler said.

Although Chandler was satisfied with NTSB's response to his questions about FAA's slow progress, he also said he was disappointed in the NTSB's lack of concern for air traffic controller staffing issues and the need for a public hearing.

"These are both issues that I feel are critical, especially as they relate to the Lexington tragedy," Chandler said.

Rep. Geoff Davis, R-Ky., said he agrees with Chandler that FAA has been lagging in implementing their safety measures and is supportive of Chandler's efforts for increased safety.

NTSB does have a board meeting scheduled for July 26 to discuss the final report, but the public can only observe and is not permitted to voice questions or comments.

The National Air Disaster Alliance backs Chandler on the need for a public hearing with open discussion.

"The family members have paid the worst price possible for this disaster and have a terrific 'need to know,'" said Gail Dunham, the executive director of the agency, which represents airline passengers and families of crash victims.

The Comair plane took off Aug. 27 on a too-short runway at Blue Grass Airport, clipping trees and a fence before crashing into a nearby farm.

Only the co-pilot survived.

There was only one air traffic controller in the tower that morning, despite an FAA directive that air and ground responsibilities should be divided between two people.