In 1990, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) devised a “Most Wanted List of Safety Improvements” as an additional way for the NTSB to focus attention on a group of safety recommendations selected for intensive follow-up. Included on the list is the need for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to set working hour limits for flight crews and aviation mechanics based on fatigue research, circadian rhythms, and sleep and rest requirements—and so far the FAA’s response has not pleased the NTSB’s chairman.

In testimony to Congress this month, NTSB chairman Mark V. Rosenker said he was disappointed at the number of recommendations to the FAA on the Most Wanted List that were in “an unacceptable action status.” Rosenker told the Subcommittee on Aviation of the US House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure that, of the six items before the FAA from the Board’s Most Wanted List, five of them (including the working hour limits) have been color-coded Red for “Unacceptable Response.” Besides the recommendations to reduce sleep and fatigue among flight and ground crews, the NTSB also had hoped for a better response from the FAA on reducing dangers to aircraft flying in icing conditions, preventing runway incursions, and improving audio and data recorders and requiring video recorders on aircraft.

In 2006, there were several accidents and close calls that were linked to fatigue. One of the most widely reported incidents was the crash of Comair Flight 5191 in Lexington, Ky. In this case, the pilot made a wrong turn and tried to take off from a runway that was too short for the plane. Of the 50 people on board, only the copilot survived. In the investigation following the crash, the NTSB discovered that the controller on duty the morning of the crash had had only 2 hours of sleep in the prior 24 hours, and the pilot and flight crew were likely sleep deprived as well based on when they had landed the night before.

Chairman Rosenker pointed out that items on the list tend to be those that are among the most complex and difficult to implement. However, he concluded, "while the FAA has made some progress, I am disappointed that there are so many recommendations on this list that are in an unacceptable status."

Details on each of the items on the list may be found on the Board's Web site under “Most Wanted.” The Chairman’s testimony may also be found on that Web site under “Speeches and Testimony.”

To read more about the crash of Flight 5191, see “Will Runway Tragedy Lead to New Regulations About Shift Work and Sleep?”