In a new blog post, Leah Read, a senior air safety investigator in the NTSB Office of Aviation Safety, warns against turning a blind eye to risky behavior in another pilot.
She notes that when NTSB investigators arrive at the scene of a fatal accident, they soon pick up on clues that the pilot exhibited risky behavior — not just on this flight, but for years. When they ask witnesses if they talked to the pilot or the FAA about it, most say no, she says.
“But what if you see something, and don’t step up and say something? The reality is that nonreporting can put people at risk,” she says.
She then details several examples of NTSB investigators who have seen the “tragic consequences of turning a blind eye to a known hazard.”
It’s an interesting — and thought-provoking — read. Check out the full post here.
If you go to the FAA’s “report a pilot” page it basically says unless you want to testify, they aren’t going to do anything.
Way to create a barrier to reporting. Why NOT offer a more informal path, along the lines of a note to the pilot saying “someone has reported you doing X – just so you’re aware, people do notice, and we’ve heard about it, so maybe it’s time to change your behavior before this becomes a formal problem”…
I like your suggestion.
Since you didn’t have the guts to post my comment, I’ll be removing your newsletter from my computer.
I went through the whole page and didn’t see anything like what you mention. Can you please point out the language you refer to? I saw a very detailed questionnaire that asked at the end to chose one of three options regarding your reporting status — will cooperate, wish to remain anonymous, or wish to have your information only given to FAA investigators (but not outside). It says nothing about “testimony.” It does say that if you wish to remain anonymous that may impact their ability to investigate, but what do you expect them to do if they need more information and you won’t give your contact info? The FAA can’t take an enforcement action based on hearsay alone.
BTW, If I reported someone, I would probably choose the confidential box.
If you want to save the lives of yourself and others you MUST turn them in…and follow-up on their investigation.
Years ago I was a part time CFI while attending A&P school. I worked at a small airport for the A&P school club using old, refurbed airplanes that had been used by the main flight school and then by the A&P school. Good airplanes but old. At the airport there was a pilot and owner who had a nice Citabra.
He would come out and wash his airplane while staying cool with a 6 pak or two of Coors.
He would then get in his airplane and get a few landings in to stay current.
I did call the local FAA office and was told they did not work on weekends but would be sure to look into blood alcohol WHEN the accident happened.
A week or so after the call to the FSDO the pilot taxied up to his hanger and misjudged the distance to his new car. He had the only fully louvered trunk lid in town. Karma does seem to work.