KatyDidSaid

The crash in Buffalo in February got to me. Mostly because of its close proximity to me, but also because one of my worst fears is dying in a plane crash. I know it’s so cliché, but just thinking about the horror those passengers must have felt in the last 30 seconds of their lives as they were free falling through the sky, makes my heart ache for them. No one should ever have to go through that.

If you haven’t read the article in the news yet, the latest is that the pilot of Flight 3407 “failed three general aviation check rides from the Federal Aviation Administration before his hiring in 2005.”

The check ride is the final part of the process of receiving pilot certification, and includes “oral and flight-performance examinations.”

But the pilot of Flight 3407 only disclosed one of these failed check rides on his application to Colgan Air. Who, now everyone is looking at saying, “Why didn’t you look into this? Why didn’t you know he failed three check rides before you hired him?”

And their reply, weak at best, seems to be typical of the airline industry.

From the Buffalo News:

“Consistent with standard practice in the airline industry, Colgan did not attempt to access information on prior general aviation check ride failures by its applicants,’ he said.

“Because of restrictions imposed by the Privacy Act of 1974, the FAA would release those records only if the pilot agreed in writing to their release, said Laura Brown, an agency spokeswoman.”

If the airline industry doesn’t have to check things like failed test flights, how can they measure the skill of their pilots? How do they know the excellent pilots from the ones that may need more training? It seems there were several indications that the pilot may have needed more training, yet somehow he managed to get the job anyway. If this is true, how can the airline possibly ensure their passengers safety?

I don’t want to imply that I believe the crash in Buffalo can be blamed solely on the inadequacies of the pilot or his staff. I know a multitude of factors, including the icy conditions, contributed to this tragedy. I realize that had this been even the most highly skilled pilot with decades of experience, this crash still may have happened.

However.

I’m flying this Saturday. I’m getting on a plane to go to Denver and I am supposed to be able to trust that the pilot of the plane I’m flying on is not just capable, but a highly-skilled professional who has had sufficient training, including training in emergency situations and poor weather conditions. I’m supposed to believe he doesn’t possess any flaws that could jeopardize the safety of the flight or my life. I’m supposed to trust he’s sober, well-rested, and healthy enough to fly.

I’m supposed to be able to trust that the airline who hired him knows exactly what his capabilities are and trusts wholly in his skill as a pilot. I should be able to believe that the airline I’m flying on would never accept a pilot who’s failed multiple test flights without first insisting on further training.

I can’t really trust any of those things. FAA rules and regulations that protect the pilot over passengers need to be revised, rewritten. The discrepancies in standards between the FAA and the NTSB need to be amended and the two organizations need to reach agreements on important issues – like if and when to use autopilot in icy conditions. The fact that these two organizations are even at odds makes me feel less safe.

Okay. I’m done ranting. Maybe I’m just nervous for the trip – but reading about those failed flights makes me question my sanity getting on a plane.

And, in case you’re wondering, I will be packing extra Xanax in my carry-on.