Abercrombie requests progress report on federal probes into go! airlines incident
Letter
U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie is asking for the U.S. departments of Homeland Security and Transportation for an update on federal probes that could answer why Hawaii Air National Guard jets weren't scrambled when a go! airlines flight overshot Hilo Airport on February 13, 2008 after air traffic controllers were unable to contact the passenger jets' pilots.
The text of one of Abercrombie's letters follows:
April 2, 2008
The Honorable Mary E. Peters
Secretary
U.S. Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Ave SE,
Washington D.C. 20590
Dear Secretary Peters:
I am writing to inquire about the February 13th incident in which a go! Airlines aircraft overshot its approach into the Hilo, Hawaii Airport by several hundred miles. The incident raised serious questions about the safety of passengers and flight crews, and the efficiency of our national security response system. Yet, nearly seven weeks later, there has been no concrete explanation of the event itself, or why the Hawaii Air National Guard aircraft were not scrambled to investigate and escort the aircraft, if necessary.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reports that it promptly notified the Domestic Events Network, which coordinates interagency response to such situations. However, the Hawaii Air National Guard said it was never notified. After finally making contact with the pilots, reportedly 25 minutes after the initial attempt, air traffic controllers have said the pilots reported "no emergency situation" before they were directed back to Hilo, Hawaii.
I understand that the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board have opened investigations. However, nearly two months after the event, there has been no definitive explanation by any federal authority. This prevents necessary remedial steps from being taken to address deficiencies with the airline and/or the appropriate federal agencies responsible for emergency notification systems critical to national security. Furthermore, suspicions over the pilots falling asleep during the flighta problem that go!'s parent company, Mesa Airlines, has experienced in the past continue to linger.
I request your prompt response to this letter to report the results or progress of investigations so we may begin, immediately, to take steps to maintain and strengthen the safety of air travel and national security.
Sincerely,
Neil Abercrombie
Member of Congress
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