Release #14.77
September 9, 2014
NTSB’s UPS Flight 1354 Investigation Affirms
Need to Safeguard All Airline Pilots from Fatigue
One Level of Safety Required Whether Pilots Fly Passengers or Cargo
WASHINGTON—Today’s National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) meeting to discuss the investigation of the UPS Flight1354 accident that resulted in the tragic loss of two pilots reinforces the call by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) to bring all-cargo pilots under the same pilot fatigue regulations that currently protect pilots who fly passengers.
“We offer our sincerest condolences to the families, friends, and fellow UPS pilots of Capt. Beal and First Officer Fanning,” said Capt. Lee Moak, ALPA’s president. “This tragedy is personal for us, and the loss of this crew is shared by all ALPA members along with the UPS pilots represented by the Independent Pilots Association.
“Fully safeguarding all pilots from fatigue is critical to preventing a similar accident from happening again in the future,” continued Capt. Moak. “Applying modern, science-based pilot fatigue rules to all airline pilots, regardless of whether they fly cargo or passengers, will enhance safety across air transportation.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently implemented science-based flight- and duty-time limits and minimum rest requirements for passenger pilots, but the rules do not apply to all-cargo pilots. ALPA was fully engaged in the FAA’s Aviation Rulemaking Committee regarding pilot fatigue and has long maintained that the new rules must apply to all airline pilots.
“Pilots who fly for all-cargo airlines operate in the same national airspace, use the same airports and equipment, and fly the same arrivals and approaches over the same terrain and cities as pilots who fly passengers,” said Capt. Don Wykoff, chairman of ALPA’s Flight- and Duty-Time Committee. “Science clearly shows that pilots don’t experience fatigue differently based on whether passengers or cargo are riding behind them in their airplane.” This same thought was stated clearly during discussion today by the NTSB members with regard to this accident.
ALPA is a strong proponent of the Safe Skies Act of 2013 to eliminate the “cargo carve-out.” “Our union will not relent in its efforts to ensure these federal pilot fatigue rules safeguard every professional pilot against fatigue,” concluded Capt. Moak.
Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilot union, representing more than 51,000 pilots at 31 airlines in the United States and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org or follow us on Twitter @WeAreALPA.
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CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703/481-4440 or Media@alpa.org
