Dallas-Fort Worth Terminal Radar Approach Control (Tracon) management investigated errors and pilot deviations, but misclassified them as pilot errors or non-events, according the the FAA. That conclusion was reached after an investigation by the Department of Transportation's Office of Inspector General (OIG).
The OIG report, prompted by some beloved whistleblowers' allegations, determined that between November 2005 and July 2007, Tracon managers misclassified 62 air traffic events as pilot deviations or non-events when, in reality, there were 52 operational errors and 10 operational deviations.
The FAA has since "removed" both the facility manager and assistant manager at the DFW Tracon. Some other DFW controllers may also be without a job soon. The OIG report will be investigated further by the U.S. Office of Special Counsel. The FAA's already in progress Traffic Analysis Review Program will be implemented ahead of schedule -- at DFW Tracon by then end of 2008 and nationwide by 2009.
Don't you feel safe knowing pilots are being blamed for air traffic controllers' screw ups? Wonder what other Tracons have been up to.
Home to PointNiner
