NTSB -- STATEMENT FROM NTSB CHAIRMAN DEBORAH A.P. HERSMAN ON NEW FAA FLIGHT AND DUTY TIME RULE

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NTSB PRESS RELEASE

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National Transportation Safety Board

Washington, DC 20594

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 21, 2011

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STATEMENT FROM NTSB CHAIRMAN DEBORAH A.P. HERSMAN

ON NEW FAA FLIGHT AND DUTY TIME RULE

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Fatigue has been on the NTSB's Most Wanted List of

transportation safety improvements since 1990. Over the

first century of powered flight, countless accidents trace

pilot fatigue as a contributing factor.

This is why the NTSB is so pleased that the FAA today issued

a long-awaited science-based rule for flight and duty time.

Secretary LaHood and former FAA Administrator Babbitt have

worked for years to shepherd this contentious rule through

the process. We applaud the leadership of DOT and FAA for

bringing it across the finish line.

While this is not a perfect rule, it is a huge improvement

over the status quo for large passenger-carrying operations.

Yet, we are extremely disappointed that the new rule is

limited to Part 121 carriers. A tired pilot is a tired

pilot, whether there are 10 paying customers on board or

100, whether the payload is passengers or pallets. As the

FAA said in its draft, "Fatigue threatens aviation safety

because it increases the risk of pilot error that could lead

to an accident." This is particularly a concern for crews

that fly "on the back side of the clock."

We look forward to working with the FAA and the aviation

community to support the rule's essential education and

training components and to identify areas where additional

measures are needed.

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Contact: NTSB Public Affairs

Kelly Nantel

(202) 314-6100

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