The NTSB will hold a two-day forum in Washington, D.C., on June 19 and 20 that will focus attention on general aviation safety issues. The event, titled “General Aviation Safety: Climbing to the Next Level,” will be chaired by NTSB Chairman Deborah Hersman with participation from all board members as well as a number of safety experts.
Over the years, the NTSB has issued safety recommendations addressing general aviation operations. Last year, for the first time, the board added General Aviation Safety to its revamped Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements. Among the key safety issues the forum will address are pilot training and performance, pilot access to and use of weather-related information, and aircraft design and certification.
“Each year, hundreds of people are killed in general aviation crashes, and thousands more are injured,” said Hersman. “Tragically, the circumstances leading to these accidents are often repeated over and over, year after year. If we are going to prevent future fatalities and injuries, these common causes must be addressed.”
Panelists participating in the forum will represent industry, government, academia and professional associations. A detailed agenda and list of participants will be released closer to the date of the event. The forum will be held in the NTSB Board Room and Conference Center at 429 L’Enfant Plaza. The forum is open to the public and free of charge. In addition, the forum can be viewed live via webcast at ntsb.gov.
