Dec. 16, 2016 // NATCA’s Air Safety Investigators Are Your Experts for Aircraft Accidents and Incidents

Have you ever wondered where the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) gets its expertise on air traffic matters for accident and incident investigations? Are you familiar with NATCA’s Accident/Incident Checklist? NATCA ASIs provide a well-respected voice during NTSB investigations, as well as the expertise to guide all members through the NATCA Accident/Incident Checklist. The committee is covered under Article 63 of the Slate Book and is comprised of 12 active ASIs and three mentees.

As a group, they take pride in staying current in all aspects of aviation safety and investigatory procedures. ASIs strive to attend training provided by the NTSB, FAA, Air Traffic Organization (ATO) Human Factors, and NATCA’s Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Team, just to name a few. They are Certified Professional Controllers working in towers, TRACONs, and centers, offering the widespread knowledge needed to fit the diverse aspects of an investigation.

In 2016, NATCA ASIs have been party to 18 investigations, ranging from aircraft accidents to incidents. ASIs come into the process as a neutral party, ensuring that information about air traffic control procedures, as well as insight into why things are done the way they are, is handled appropriately and accurately during an investigation. Their goal is to examine the facts and provide input that can help prevent the accident or incident from reoccurring.

NATCA ASIs want you to know that you have a resource when it comes to aircraft accidents and incidents. From unsafe situations to aircraft accidents, the NTSB is charged by Congress to investigate safety matters in the National Airspace System. Through this process, NATCA ASIs have emerged as a respected group in the party process.

If you are interested in learning more about the ASI committee or its mentorship program, please visit the committee’s website at http://asi.natca.net/. They are currently soliciting volunteers for the TRACON mentee position, which may be submitted via the link located at the top banner of the website.

The ASI Committee established a mentorship program to provide opportunities for NATCA members to be trained as ASIs and assist the Committee. A mentee would not be deployed on an NTSB investigation but they are provided the same training. Being in the ASI mentorship program does not guarantee a position on the committee but it does prepare the member for serving as an ASI when and if the opportunity presents itself.

Please apply via the website or the link distributed by your FacRep before Dec. 23.

Questions? Please email the ASI Committee at [email protected].