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Safety Recommendation Details

Safety Recommendation A-10-106
Details
Synopsis: On December 20, 2008, about 1818 mountain standard time, Continental Airlines flight 1404, a Boeing 737-500, N18611, departed the left side of runway 34R during takeoff from Denver International Airport (DEN), Denver, Colorado. A postcrash fire ensued. The captain and 5 of the 110 passengers were seriously injured; the first officer, 2 cabin crewmembers, and 38 passengers received minor injuries; and 1 cabin crewmember and 67 passengers (3 of whom were lap-held children) were uninjured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The scheduled, domestic passenger flight, operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 121, was departing DEN and was destined for George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston, Texas. At the time of the accident, visual meteorological conditions prevailed, with strong and gusty winds out of the west. The flight operated on an instrument flight rules flight plan.
Recommendation: TO THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: Archive all low-level windshear alert system (LLWAS) data obtained from Denver International Airport and other airports that experience similar wind conditions and make these data available for additional research and the potential future development of an improved LLWAS algorithm for crosswind and gusty wind alerts on air traffic control tower ribbon display terminals.
Original recommendation transmittal letter: PDF
Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action
Mode: Aviation
Location: Denver, CO, United States
Is Reiterated: No
Is Hazmat: No
Is NPRM: No
Accident #: DCA09MA021
Accident Reports: Runway Side Excursion During Attempted Takeoff in Strong and Gusty Crosswind Conditions Continental Airlines Flight 1404, Boeing 737-500, NN18611
Report #: AAR-10-04
Accident Date: 12/20/2008
Issue Date: 7/29/2010
Date Closed: 12/9/2011
Addressee(s) and Addressee Status: FAA (Closed - Acceptable Action)
Keyword(s): Weather,

Safety Recommendation History
From: NTSB
To: FAA
Date: 12/16/2011
Response: The FAA indicated that it archives all FAA-owned LLWAS data, on both national and local levels, for use by meteorologists and researchers working to optimize algorithms at locations throughout the nation. As this practice satisfies the intent of this recommendation, Safety Recommendation A-10-106 is classified CLOSED—ACCEPTABLE ACTION.
From: FAA
To: NTSB
Date: 10/14/2010
Response: CC#201000393: - From J. Randolph Babbitt, Administrator: All FAA owned LLWAS systems archive wind data and maintenance information both at the local level as well as at the National Airway Systems Engineering Office, where agency meteorologists periodically review the information in order to optimize the algorithms at the various systems locations. This data can also be provided as needed to the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). Additionally, NCAR continues to partner with the FAA in meeting various Aviation Weather System requirements such as the Juneau Airports Winds System (JAWS). I believe the FAA has effectively addressed this safety recommendation and I consider our action complete.