Register

NTSB Recommends Improved Consistency on Turbulence Reporting by the National Weather Service

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommends the National Weather Service (NWS) develop additional guidance for pilots on non-convective turbulence and provide formal training to forecasters for consistent low-level turbulence analysis and forecasting.
  • These recommendations stem from an ongoing investigation into a 2017 fatal air ambulance crash in Amarillo, Texas, where low-level turbulence may have been present, but no specific advisories were active for the location.
  • The NTSB found inconsistencies in NWS forecasters' criteria for issuing local turbulence advisories, especially when convective advisories existed, and identified a lack of adequate formal training on low-level turbulence.
See a mistake? Contact us.

The National Transportation Safety Board hopes the National Weather Service will create additional guidance for pilots about the hazards surrounding non-convective turbulence conditions, as well as provide additional formal training to NWS forecasters to encourage consistency of analysis, interpretation and forecasting of low-level turbulence.

Rob Mark

Rob Mark is an award-winning journalist, business jet pilot, flight instructor, and blogger.

Ready to Sell Your Aircraft?

List your airplane on AircraftForSale.com and reach qualified buyers.

List Your Aircraft
AircraftForSale Logo | FLYING Logo
Pilot in aircraft
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox.

SUBSCRIBE