Military Aviation Safety (CRS Report for Congress)
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| Release Date |
Revised Nov. 25, 2003 |
| Report Number |
RL31571 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Christopher Bolkcom, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Summary:
Military aviation safety is a concern to policy makers in both the Department of Defense (DoD)
and
Congress. DoD is concerned about improving safety because aviation accidents erode DoD's war
fighting capabilities in many tangible and intangible ways.
DoD aviation accidents are classified by the severity of injury or property damage. Class A
accidents are the most severe events and the rate at which these accidents occur is the most
frequently used yardstick for measuring aviation safety.
The Office of the Secretary of Defense, and the military Services (including the Coast Guard)
have different roles and responsibilities in military aviation safety promotion and mishap
investigations. Generally speaking, the Services have the most active and involved role in promoting
aviation safety. The Services conduct two types of mishap investigations, generally referred to as
safety investigations and legal investigations. In the commercial and civil sector, the National
Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) conducts a single investigation.
The status of military aviation safety depends heavily on one's viewpoint. There is no
consensus on how well the Services are doing in promoting and improving aviation safety. Some
believe that the current mishap rate is acceptable. Others believe that it is unacceptable and can be
improved. Others believe that DoD should strive for, and achieve, a "zero mishap rate."
Over the past 50 years, data show that the total annual number of accidents and the rate at
which
they occur have significantly decreased. However, this improvement appears to have stagnated over
the past 10 years. Comparisons of safety between the military and the civilian world, between the
U.S. military and foreign militaries, between the different military Services, and between different
aircraft types may offer some perspective on the state of aviation safety in the U.S. military.
While it is easy to see the negative effects of aviation accidents, determining and mitigating
accident causes are often more difficult. Many factors can contribute to a single accident.
Frequently, "conventional wisdom" does not apply when identifying the leading causes of aviation
mishaps. Aircraft age and increased operations tempo (OPTEMPO) are frequently claimed to cause
accidents. However, the relationship between these factors and mishaps is unclear. It does appear
clear, however, that human error is a leading cause of mishaps.
Those who wish to promote safety and to improve upon today's military aviation safety record
may consider a variety of approaches. Focusing senior leaders in DoD on the problem may help.
"Fencing off" money in DoD's budget specifically for safety is another cited approach. Tying
aircraft procurement funding to a desired or acceptable Class A mishap rate may be considered, as
may more aggressive fielding of numerous flight safety technologies.
