GENERAL INFORMATION

NARRATIVE

[O] On January 28, 1998, at 0916:58 eastern standard time, an operational error involving Air Force 1 (A1), a Boeing 707, and US Airways flight 484 (USA484), a Boeing 737, occurred approximately 6 miles west of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Recorded radar data indicate that the two aircraft were separated by 2.7 miles horizontally and 800 feet vertically. Approximately 30 seconds later, recorded radar data indicate that A1 and Delta Air Lines flight 740 (DAL740), an MD-80, were at 7,000 feet and 2.56 miles apart. The DCA Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) was providing ATC separation. The departure radar controller, a developmental controller, was responsible for A1, and an approach controller was responsible for the other two aircraft. [Recommendations] A-00-3. Require that all developmental controllers at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Air Traffic Control Tower work Presidential flights under the guidance of an on-the-job-training instructor in the terminal radar approach control and tower environments before position certification. [Responses] FAA LTR DTD: 4/12/00 The Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Traffic Control Tower is revising its facility training requirement under Order 3120.4, Air Traffic Technical Training, to require that all developmental controllers work Presidential flights under the guidance of an on-the-job training instructor prior to position certification. This requirement will be recorded on FAA Form 3120-25, ATCT/ARTCC OJT Instruction/Evaluation Report. I will keep the Board informed of the FAA's progress on this safety recommendation. NTSB LTR DTD: 6/26/00 The FAA reports that the DCA ATCT is revising its facility training requirement under Order 3120.4, "Air Traffic Technical Training," to require that all developmental controllers work Presidential flights under the guidance of an on-the-job training (OJT) instructor before position certification. The FAA reports that this requirement will be recorded on FAA Form 3120-25, "ATCT/ARTCC OJT Instruction/Evaluation Report." Pending a revision to Order 3120.4, to require that all developmental controllers work Presidential flights under the guidance of an OJT instructor before position certification, Safety Recommendation A-00-3 is classified" Open Acceptable Response." FAA LTR DTD: 10/16/00 The Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Traffic Control Tower revised its facility training requirement under Order 3120.4E, Air Traffic Technical Training, to require that all developmental controllers work Presidential aircraft flights under the guidance of an on-the-job training instructor prior to position certification. This revision became effective September 1, 2000. This requirement will be recorded on FAA Form 3120-25, ATCT/ARTCC OJT Instruction/Evaluation Report. I have enclosed a copy of the revision to the order for the Board's information. I consider the FAA's action to be completed on this safety recommendation. NTSB LTR DTD: 3/16/01 The FAA reports that the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Traffic Control Tower revised its facility training requirement under Order 3120.4E, "Air Traffic Technical Training," effective September 1, 2000, to require that all developmental controllers work Presidential aircraft flights under the guidance of an on-the-job training instructor prior to position certification. The FAA further reports that this requirement will be recorded on FAA Form 3120-25, ATCT/ARTCC OJT Instruction/Evaluation Report. The action taken by the FAA fully addresses the recommendation. Accordingly, Safety Recommendation A-00-3 is classified "Closed Acceptable Action." 1

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