Aviation Safety: Progress Limited With Self-Audit and Safety Violation Reporting Programs
RCED-92-85
Published: Mar 31, 1992. Publicly Released: Apr 30, 1992.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed: (1) airline participation in two Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) programs aimed at improving airline safety; and (2) FAA program guidance and oversight.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status Sort descending |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Transportation | To improve program administration, the Secretary of Transportation should direct the Administrator, FAA, to shift FAA emphasis from program advocacy to program implementation by surveying FAA field offices to clarify inspector and airline questions. |
Closed – Implemented
FAA established an enforcement focal point in its Field Program Division to address questions and problem areas. Such a focal point is basically a reactive rather than proactive problem solver.
|
| Department of Transportation | To improve program administration, the Secretary of Transportation should direct the Administrator, FAA, to shift FAA emphasis from program advocacy to program implementation by clarifying and finalizing written program guidance. |
Closed – Implemented
FAA issued voluntary disclosure procedures in January 1992 and Advisory Circular 120-59 on October 26, 1992.
|
| Department of Transportation | To improve program administration, the Secretary of Transportation should direct the Administrator, FAA, to shift FAA emphasis from program advocacy to program implementation by providing additional inspector training. |
Closed – Implemented
FAA distributed two training courses to its inspectors in August 1992 and May 1993.
|
| Department of Transportation | To improve program administration, the Secretary of Transportation should direct the Administrator, FAA, to shift FAA emphasis from program advocacy to program implementation by developing appropriate oversight information on participation in both programs and measures of program effects on compliance with safety regulations and FAA operations. |
Closed – Implemented
FAA has developed a database that is being used to develop a newsletter for its field organizations and the airline industry. FAA did not, however, indicate that the database would be used to measure program effects on regulatory compliance.
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Topics
Aircraft maintenanceAirlinesAirline regulationEmployee trainingInspectionInternal controlsSafety standardsTransportation safetyVoluntary complianceAircraft