Dear Editor,
It was reported in the media that on July 5, 2009, there was a near miss within the airspace of the Guyana Air Traffic Control System, involving an outbound Learjet aircraft and an inbound Liat Dash-8 aircraft. It was further reported that a senior official had stated that an investigation had been launched into the incident, after which required action would be taken against whichever party was found to be at fault.
This would appear to be the logical follow-up by the Civil Aviation Authority in such a matter.
However, in the modern world of aviation, most accident/incident investigating agencies do not lay emphasis on apportioning blame and administering punishment. These investigations now focus on the following priority objectives:
(1) What was the direct cause of the accident/incident?
(2) What were the contributory causes of the accident/incident?
(3) What must be done to prevent a recurrence?
The National Transport Safety Board of the USA is in the vanguard of this enlightened approach to accident/incident investigation. This does not mean that negligence and mistakes should be tolerated. The point being made is that taking action against the party at fault should not be the priority objective and the end of the matter.
On October 7, 2008 there was a near miss involving a Delta Airlines Boeing 757 and a Caribbean Airlines Boeing 737. On June 7, 2009 there was a near miss involving a GDF Skyvan aircraft and a Trans Guyana Caravan aircraft over the Mazaruni area. Now one month later there is another near miss. Perhaps there are factors within the Air Traffic Control System which must be addressed in order to prevent a disaster.
Yours faithfully,
Lloyd H Marshall
Former Boeing 757 Captain
Former Air Traffic Controller
