GAO: Challenges Remain on Aircraft Tracking and Data

A new report—15-443—from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released last week looks closely at the challenges that remain in accurately tracking aircraft anywhere on the face of the earth, despite recent proposals to enhance flight tracking and the capturing of critical operational data from threatened aircraft before they fly beyond the range of communications. The report was initiated, in part, by the losses of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 and Air France Flight 447. MH370 has yet to be found, and locating the flight data recorders from AF447 took two years and cost $40 million.

The GAO wants Congress to understand more clearly the strengths and weaknesses of the current proposals to enhance both tracking and data recovery efforts. The document is a result of the GAO's review of reports by government accident investigators and technology presentations by avionics manufacturers, including current cost data, which was not available in all cases. The GAO also interviewed 21 aviation stakeholders, including the FAA, the National Transportation Safety Board and industry members selected for their expertise in aviation technology and flight operations. The FAA and NTSB provided technical comments on a draft of the report that were incorporated as appropriate.