NTSB Safety Alert SA-058 - Prevent Midair Collisions Don't Depend on Vision Alone

Prevent Midair Collisions: Don’t Depend on Vision Alone

Augment your reality to help separate safely

The problem

• The "see- and-avoid" concept has long been the foundation of midair collision

prevention. However , the inherent limitations of this concept, including human

limitations, environmental conditions, aircraft blind spots, and operational

distractions, leave even the most diligent pilot vulnerable to the threat of a midair collision with an unseen aircraft.

• Technologies in the cockpit that display or alert of traffic conflicts , such as traffic

advisory systems and automatic dependent surveillance– broadcast (ADS -B), can

help pilots become aware of and maintain separation from nearby aircraft.

1 Such

systems can augment reality and help compensate for the limitations of visually searching for traffic.

Related accidents

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has investigated midair collisions in

high- traffic areas near airports or practice areas, in cruise flight, in controlled and

uncontrolled airspace, and in a variety of weather conditions.

• A Cessna 172M and an NA265 -60SC Sabreliner collided on August 16, 2015,

while maneuvering for landing at Brown Field Municipal Airport, San Diego, California. The pilot (sole occupant) of the Cessna and all four crewmembers aboard the Sabreliner died. This accident occurred within controlled airspace with a relatively hi gh traffic density. The controller failed to properly identify the aircraft

in the pattern and to ensure that the control instructions were being followed before turning the Sabreliner into the Cessna’s path. A postaccident simulation

showed that a cockpit display of traffic information in one or both of the airplanes

could have provided a traffic picture that would likely have allowed the pilots to

1 To receive a complete traffic picture and benefit fully from this technology, aircraft must be equipped

with both ADS-B In and ADS -B Out. Due to the design of the ADS -B system, aircraft equipped with only

ADS- B In may be presented with incomplete traffic i nformation. Although the information could be useful

when operating near an ADS -B Out -equipped aircraft, in other situations, a pilot could potentially receive

a traffic picture that omits the closest traffic, resulting in false security.

SA-058 November 2016, Revised April 2021 become aware of and look for the other airplane and may have prevented the

accident. ( WPR15MA243A/B )

• A Cessna 150M and a Lockheed Martin F- 16CM collided in midair near

Moncks Corner, South Carolina, on July 7, 2015. The two occupants of the

Cessna died, and the F- 16 pilot ejected and landed safely using a parachute.

The F- 16 pilot was receiving air traffic control (ATC) services at the time of the

collision. The controller failed to provide an appropri ate resolution to the conflict

between the F- 16 and the Cessna. Because of the high closure rate involved,

each pilot had a limited opportunity to see and avoid the other airplane. A

postaccident simulation showed that technologies in the cockpit that display or

alert of traffic conflicts might have provided both pilots with clear traffic depictions

and/or aural alerts as the conflict developed and could have enabled them to develop a plan of action to avoid the collision. ( ERA15MA259A/B

)

• A Beechcraft V35B and a Piper PA -28-140 collided in midair near Warrenton,

Virginia , on May 28, 2012. The pilot and flight instructor aboard the Beechcraft

died, and the pilot of the Piper was seriously injured during his subsequent forced landing. At the time of the collision, the Piper pilot was in contact with ATC and

was receiving services but had not been alerted to the presence of the Beechcraft . Even though the controller received a conflict alert on his radar

system, he assessed that there was no conflict and did not issue an immediate safety alert. A postaccident simulation showed that technologi es in the cockpit

that display or alert of traffic conflicts might have pr ovided the pilots with about

30 seconds of aural and visual alerts before the collision. (Transportation Safety

Board of Canada Aviation Investigation Report A12H0001

)

• A Piper PA- 32R-300 and a Eurocopter AS350BA collided over the Hudson River

near Hoboken, New Jersey, on August 8, 2009. The pilot and two passengers aboard the Piper and the pilot and five passengers aboard the Eurocopter died.

ATC services were being provided, but the controller was distracted, and the aircraft collided. Both aircraft were equipped with collision avoidance technologies , but the pilots made ineffective use of the technologies to maintain

their awareness of the other aircraft. (NTSB Report AAR- 10/05

)

What can you do?

• Educate yourself about the benefits of flying an aircraft equipped with technologies that aid in collision avoidance. Whether you are flying in congested airspace or a remote location, a cockpit display or alert of traffic information will increase your awareness of surrounding traffic.

• Become familiar with the sym bology, display controls, alerting criteria, and

limitations of such technologies in your aircraft, whether the systems are portable or installed in the cockpit. High- density traffic around airports can make

interpreting a traffic display challenging due t o display clutter, false traffic alerts,

and system limitations.

SA-058 November 2016, Revised April 2021 • Use information provided by such technologies to separate your aircraft from

traffic before aggressive, evasive maneuvering is required. Often, slight changes

in rate of climb or descent, altitude, or direction can significantly reduce the risk

of a midair collision long before the conflicting aircraft has been seen.

• Remember that while such technologies can significantly enhance your

awareness of traffic around you, unless your system is also capable of providing

resolution advisories, visual acquisition of and separation from traffic is your

primary means of collision avoida nce (when weather conditions allow).

Interested in more information?

The following Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) resources can be accessed from www.faa.gov

:

• Advisory Circular (AC) 90 -48D, “ Pilots’ Role in Collision Avoidance ,” alerts pilots

of the potential hazards of midair collisions and emphasizes pilot education,

operating practices, procedures, and improved scanning techniques. The AC

also discusses technologies in the cockpit that display or alert of traffic conflicts .

• The FAA’s NextGen program on ADS -B offers up- to-date requirements,

coverage maps, and program information.

The NTSB’s Aviation Information Resources web page, w ww.ntsb.gov/air , provides

convenient access to NTSB aviation safety products. The reports for the accidents

referenced in this safety alert are accessible by NTSB accident number from the

Aviation Accident Database link, and each accident’s public docket is accessible from

the Accident Dockets link for the Docket Management System . This safety alert and

others, such as SA-045, “See and Be Seen: Your Life Depends on It,” can be accessed

from the Aviation Safety Alerts link.