Note: This issue was removed from the Most Wanted List on March 15, 2011.
Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 121 and scheduled 14 CFR Part 135 operators are required to provide pilots with crew resource management (CRM) training in which accidents are reviewed and skills and techniques for effective crew coordination, resource allocation, and error management are presented. CRM training augments technical training and enhances pilots' performance in the cockpit. The NTSB has investigated several fatal aviation accidents involving Part 135 on-demand operators in which the carrier either had not implemented a CRM program or the carrier's CRM program was much less comprehensive and effective than that required for a Part 121 carrier. [1] Each of these accidents was caused by errors made by the crew, and it is possible that an effective CRM program might have interrupted the chain of events that led to the accident.
On May 1, 2009, the FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), titled "Crew Resource Management Training for Crewmembers in Part 135 Operations." The notice proposed to require that all Part 135 operators include CRM in their training programs for all crewmembers. The proposed rule requires initial and recurrent CRM training for crewmembers working for Part 135 on-demand operators. The proposed rule also would apply to all Part 135 on-demand operators, including those who conduct single-pilot operations. The proposed rule also specifies the minimum course content required for an approved CRM training program. In comments submitted to the docket for this NPRM, the NTSB indicated its strong support of the proposed rule and also indicated that, if the NPRM becomes a final rule, it would largely meet the intent of Safety Recommendation A-03-52. However, the NTSB further indicated its concern that the proposed rule exempts Part 135 operators from providing initial CRM training to crewmembers who have previously received initial CRM training from another Part 135 operator. Such an allowance is not consistent with CRM training requirements for Part121 operations. In its comments to the docket, the NTSB urged the FAA to withdraw the proposal to allow certificate holders to give credit for initial CRM training received from another Part 135 carrier.
Enact a final rule based on the May 1, 2009, NPRM, removing the allowance giving credit for initial CRM training received from another Part 135 carrier.
Safety Recommendation
A-03-52 (FAA)
Issued December 2, 2003
Added to the Most Wanted List: 2006
Status: Open-Acceptable Response (November 2006); reclassified Closed-Acceptable Action (March 15, 2011)
Require that 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 135 on-demand charter operators that conduct dual-pilot operations establish and implement a Federal Aviation Administration-approved crew resource management training program for their flight crews in accordance with 14 CFR Part 121, subparts N and O. (Source: Loss of Control and Impact with Terrain, Aviation Charter, Inc., Raytheon (Beechcraft) King Air A100, N41BE, Eveleth, Minnesota, October 25, 2002. [NTSB/AAR-03/03])
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