Safety Data Systems

Collecting accurate data pertaining to aviation safety is imperative in identifying accident and incident trends. There are various collection systems in place run by different agencies to collect different data. There’s the Accident/Incident Data System, Near Midair Collision System, and various runway incursion systems sponsored by both private and federal agencies. However, the most effective system in gathering accurate safety data is the Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) run by NASA. The key difference between ASRS and other safety reporting systems is the quality of the data that is uncovered. The highly accurate data collected by ASRS is made possible by two factors: it allows pilots to confess to safety related issues while remaining anonymous and the system is run by NASA. Previous safety data collection systems were plagued with erroneous data relating to incidents because pilots would lie or withhold information that could be seen as incriminating or a statement about their piloting ability. With ASRS, the person providing the data remains completely anonymous and is free to report any violation of a regulation or procedure on their part without fear of punishment. The second critical aspect of ASRS is the fact that it is run by NASA, which has no regulatory authority. It was feared that an anonymous system run by the FAA (which has a great deal of regulatory authority) would still make pilots hesitant to report seemingly incriminating evidence. Giving NASA the responsibility to run ASRS further provides the confidence to reporting pilots that their reports will be used to further aviation safety, not take punitive action against them.

Wells, Alexander, & Rodrigues, Clarence. (2003). Commercial aviation safety. McGraw-Hill Professional.