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NTSB BOARD MEETING |
Good Morning. My name is Debbie Hersman and it is my privilege to serve as the Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board. I would like to take a moment to introduce my colleagues: Vice Chairman Chris Hart, and Board Member Robert Sumwalt.
Welcome to the boardroom of the National Transportation Safety Board. Under the 1976 Government in the Sunshine Act, multi-member federal agencies conduct much of their business in open session. Therefore, Board meetings are often called "Sunshine" meetings. While the public is invited to observe the meeting, only the Board Members and NTSB staff will participate in today's discussions.
Before we begin, I would like to make a few comments.
First, on behalf of the Board, I would to thank all of the individuals and organizations who helped with this accident investigation - these include representatives from local, state and federal agencies, first responders, police personnel, service organizations, and so many others.
In particular, I would like to recognize the South Carolina Highway Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Both of these organizations were instrumental in helping our team of investigators secure the accident site, preserve evidence, and document the accident scene. I would also like to recognize the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for providing tire and peer review information, which was integral to our analysis.
It's also important to mention the management team at Columbia Metropolitan Airport, and in particular, Mr. Chuck Henderson, who is in our audience today. Chuck and his team provided their full support to our investigators, allowing them to complete the work that was needed - even though that meant closing down the Columbia airport for an entire day. We recognize that a lot of travelers, airport personnel, and others in the surrounding community were inconvenienced that day, and we are grateful for their patience and cooperation.
To all of the groups involved, your assistance was invaluable. Thank you.
I also want to acknowledge the family members and friends of those who lost their lives or were seriously injured in this accident, some of whom may be watching our proceedings today. On behalf of the men and women of the Safety Board, please accept our sincerest condolences for your loss and for all that you have endured since this accident. It is in response to this accident, and to your loss, that we meet today to determine the probable cause of this accident and to consider safety recommendations, so that accidents, like this one, do not happen again.
While the Board members sit here on the dais today, it is the staff that has done the work to produce this comprehensive report. On behalf of the other Board Members, I thank you, staff, for your hard work and dedication - not only for conducting a comprehensive and thorough investigation but also for promptly issuing 6 safety recommendations last year as issues were identified during the course of the investigation, and for producing this excellent report for our consideration today.
Before proceeding to the report, I would like to take a moment to briefly mention a public forum that the Safety Board is holding next month, on May 18-20, 2010. The forum, Professionalism in Aviation, is intended to raise public awareness of industry best practices and to promote an open discussion between the Safety Board and invited panelists on the importance of developing and ensuring excellence in pilot and air traffic controller performance.
Panelists will be drawn from industry, government agencies, labor, academia, and professional associations, and we will explore a variety of topics. I believe that forums, like this one, are important exercises that create additional opportunities to improve the safety of our aviation system, and I invite you to join us.
On September 19, 2008, a Bombardier Learjet Model 60 operated by Global Exec Aviation and destined for Van Nuys, California, overran runway 11 at Columbia Metropolitan Airport in Columbia, South Carolina, during a rejected takeoff. Tragically, four people were killed - the captain, the first officer and two passengers; two other passengers were seriously injured.
A few weeks ago, the NTSB staff submitted the following report for the Board's consideration:
Notation 8061A
Aircraft Accident Report
Runway Overrun During Rejected Takeoff, Global Exec Aviation, Bombardier Learject 60, N999LJ, Columbia, South Carolina, September 19, 2008
The Board Members have had the intervening weeks to study these documents. While we might have met with staff individually to discuss the draft, today is the first opportunity for all of the Board Members to meet together to discuss the issues contained in the draft report.
During this meeting, the Board Members will hear staff presentations addressing the primary issues identified in the investigation - issues that may include inadequate tire maintenance, pilot performance and training, crew resource management, aircraft design and certification, and the monitoring and ongoing risk assessments of safety-critical systems. While these issues are specific to this accident, they also have broader implications for aviation safety.
The Board members will also solicit staff comments and explanations on many points. Once we have discussed the draft report, we will then consider the conclusions, probable cause determination, and specific safety recommendations proposed by staff.
Sometimes all or part of a draft conclusion, probable cause or recommendation is revised or rejected by the Members. This is because these are the Board's actual deliberations over the documents. That is the purpose of the Sunshine Act -- to provide the public with a window into the decision making process.
Approximately 30 minutes after this meeting, copies of the abstracts containing conclusions, probable cause, and recommendations approved by the Board can be obtained from the Board's Public Affairs Office, and will be placed on the Board's website.
