DISTURBING TREND - AIR FORCE AIRCRAFT MISHAPS ON THE RISE

  • Published
  • By Maj. Gen. Wendell L. Griffin
  • Air Force Chief of Safety
kirland AFB, N.M. --  The following is a July 3 memorandum from Air Force Chief of Safety Maj. Gen. Wendell L. Griffin to major command vice commanders, imploring them to help reverse the negative trend in Air Force aircraft mishaps this year.

Last year the Air Force had an outstanding aviation safety year, setting three new records along the way: lowest Class A flight mishap rate, fewest aviation-related fatalities and fewest destroyed aircraft in Air Force history.

However, this year is quite another story.

We are experiencing a disturbing trend within the aviation community. I am deeply concerned about it ... as I am sure you are too.

As we enter the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, already we have destroyed 12 aircraft in training mishaps -- 50 percent more than all of fiscal 2006 -- and have lost one aircraft in combat. Even more disturbing, we have tragically and irreplaceably lost three outstanding Airmen. Amongst the ruins of 13 aircraft and three fatalities lies a troubling trend. Questionable risk management, poor decision making, and inattentive maintenance and flying appear to be contributors in most of these accidents.

Over the past six decades as an independent service, we have steadily improved our safety programs to the pinnacle that was last year's performance; however, we have come to expect such performances as the norm. We have forgotten the hard work and vigilance that is required to make years such as fiscal 2006 so successful. We cannot afford to become complacent, let our guard down and lose commander focus when it comes to safety.

In that vein, I am writing to seek your assistance as commanders and leaders to re-focus attention on our aviation safety community. It is no mistake that safety is a commander's program, and that the best of these programs begin with a focused effort from the very top down. I ask you do all within your power to refocus your commanders at all levels. Discuss this issue in your commander's calls and staff meetings, make safety a regular part of your metrics, and encourage your operations directorates to make this a "Special Interest Item."

I also urge you to use any other means you see fit to reverse this trend of preventable accidents.

I welcome any ideas or suggestions you or your staff believe may help us win this battle, and I encourage crosstalk between us all. With your help, I am convinced we can reverse this deadly trend and create a lasting culture of safety for decades to come.