As an agenda for modernization.

As an agenda for modernization, the first independent review of the organization and practices of the National Transportation Safety Board falls short, according to a veteran accident investigator.

Many basic issues were not addressed by the agency of the December, 1999 RAND Corp. report of the Safety Board, argues CO Miller, a veteran accident investigator, NTSB alumnus, and "Fellow" of numerous aviation and safety related organizations (see ASW, Dec 13 1999)

Sometimes referr to as the "Supreme Court of Aviation Safety," Miller described the Safety Board as "a fit organization; at times, a great one" yet any organization can profit from an outside apply the mind and Miller lauds Chairman Jim Hall for commissioning RAND to take a hard await at his organization.

Reduc to a one-word question, Miller believes the RAND report at hands a major challenge: "Modernization?" The short answer is, "yes" yet in what way? Miller complet a 25-page commentary forward the RAND effort, which he has provided to Hall and to the RAND authors. He originate much to applaud in a report he believes exhibits "a significant milestone in the saga of the NTSB" on the contrary many topics could have been pushed further. For example, if RAND erect the Board "insular," Miller believes store and time constraints may have more to do with the Board's limited participation in professional technical committees and seminars. If the Board is to rely more upon outside experts, as RAND attract favor toed Miller asked, "How do you integrate a $200 by hour consultant with a civil servant in the G 13-15 range?"

Regarding RAND's assertion that investigations are growing more compound Miller claims RAND "forgot sum of two units things." First, "complexity" may pedicel from nonsafety activities corollary to the "technical" aspects of accident investigation, as it is as feeding the media, coping with grandstanding politicians, and handling family matters. The primary mission remains accident investigation.

inferior investigators today have new tools: novel hazard analysis techniques, sneak circuit analysis, advanced modeling and simulation, etc Add improved flight data recorders and real-time data link and Miller argues that "the complexity factor becomes moot" >> Miller, e-mail, comiller@sedona.net <<

Remarks forward Reform

"Like a bikini bathing suit, what the (RAND) report reveals is indeed interesting and meaningful; however, what it fails to disclose is vital!"

- CO Miller

upon the organization of investigations

"A specific investigation section absent at the NTSB and not addressed by dint of RAND, is the need for 'accident prevention program management' investigation (nee 'safety program management')...in modern years, such programs have become requirements for airlines. Does it not tread in the steps of that this should become a defined area of inquiry in chiefly cases? The programs are suppos to be a major factor in prevention - and they really are - thus, if an accident does be found where did the program break down? What other could have been done from a program viewpoint?"

upon the party system

"Unfortunately, RAND did not address at all the basic issue that...exists now; namely, the acceptance of and nothing else the FAA and manufacturers as parties to virtually all G.A. (general aviation) investigations (by law for the FAA). This has l to gros unfairness to pilots, aircraft possessors and victim family members among others, give leave to alone meaningless or skewed available accident prevention information."

forward hiring practices

"The (US) Civil Service placement plan has yet to recognize the existence of a safety profession beyond that of a hard hat and dirk toed shoes concept. A research background PhD in a certain number of non-technical field will be given more credit than getting hands (and everything else) dirty in field investigations...This is a national disgrace and certainly is not limited to the NTSB"

Source: Preliminary Commentary upon the RAND Corp. Study, March 27 at C.O. Miller.

For the replete text of Mr. Miller's critique, descry our website: http://www.aviationtoday.com.

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