NTSB ISSUES SAFETY ALERT WARNING PILOTS OF UNMARKED WEATHER OBSERVATION TOWERS

[NTSB Press Releases <ntsbpressreleases@xxxxxxxx>]

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                       NTSB ADVISORY

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National Transportation Safety Board

Washington, DC 20594

 

March 11, 2011

 

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NTSB ISSUES SAFETY ALERT WARNING PILOTS OF UNMARKED WEATHER

OBSERVATION TOWERS

 

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The National Transportation Safety Board today issued a

Safety Alert to warn pilots of low-flying aircraft about the

dangers associated with unmarked towers built to record

weather observations.

 

The Meteorological Evaluation Towers (METs), many of which

fall just below the 200-foot Federal Aviation Administration

threshold for obstruction markings, can be difficult to see

from the air and can be a danger to aircraft conducting low-

flight operations, including helicopter emergency services,

law enforcement, fire suppression and other low-altitude

activities.

 

Pilots are urged to maintain vigilance during low-altitude

flights and are asked to encourage the markings of METs in

their area.

 

Since 2003 the NTSB has investigated three fatal accidents

involving in-flight collisions with METs, including one in

January.

 

The Safety Alert on METs can be found at:

http://ntsb.gov/alerts/SA_016.pdf

 

The NTSB has previously issued 15 Safety Alerts on aviation,

boating and highway safety; all of the Alerts are available

at http://www.ntsb.gov/alerts/alerts.htm

 

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NTSB Media Contact: Peter Knudson

peter.knudson@xxxxxxxx

(202) 314-6100

 

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