It stemmed from this fatal accident where an exit was opened directly into a fire: Walter DCA NTSB Identification: DCA91MA018A. The docket is stored on NTSB microfiche number 42470. Scheduled 14 CFRPart 121 operation of Air Carrier USAIR Accident occurred Friday, February 01, 1991 at LOS ANGELES, CA Aircraft:BOEING 737-300, registration: N388US Injuries: 34 Fatal, 13 Serious, 17 Minor, 37 Uninjured. SKW5569, N683AV, HAD BEEN CLEARED TO RWY 24L, AT INTERSECTION 45, TO POSITION AND HOLD. THE LOCAL CONTROLLER, BECAUSE OF HER PREOCCUPATION WITH ANOTHER AIRPLANE, FORGOT SHE HAD PLACED SKW5569 ON THE RUNWAY AND SUBSEQUENTLY CLEARED USA1493, N388US, FOR LANDING. AFTER THE COLLISION, THE TWO AIRPLANES SLID OFF THE RUNWAY INTO AN UNOCCUPIED FIRE STATION. THE TOWER OPERATING PROCEDURES DID NOT REQUIRE FLIGHT PROGRESS STRIPS TO BE PROCESSED THROUGH THE LOCAL GROUND CONTROL POSITION. BECAUSE THIS STRIP WAS NOT PRESENT, THE LOCAL CONTROLLER MISIDENTIFIED AN AIRPLANE AND ISSUED A LANDING CLEARANCE. THE TECHNICAL APPRAISAL PROGRAM FOR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS IS NOT BEING FULLY UTILIZED BECAUSE OF A LACK OF UNDERSTANDING BY SUPERVISORS AND THE UNAVAILABILITY OF APPRAISAL HISTORIES. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident/incident as follows. THE FAILURE OF THE LOS ANGELES AIR TRAFFIC FACILITY MANAGEMENT TO IMPLEMENT PROCEDURES THAT PROVIDED REDUNDANCY COMPARABLE TO THE REQUIREMENTS CONTAINED IN THE NATIONAL OPERATIONAL POSITION STANDARDS AND THE FAILURE OF THE FAA AIR TRAFFIC SERVICE TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE POLICY DIRECTION AND OVERSIGHT TO ITS AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL FACILITY MANAGERS. THESE FAILURES CREATED AN ENVIRONMENT IN THE LOS ANGELES AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER THAT ULTIMATELY LED TO THE FAILURE OF THE LOCAL CONTROLLER 2 (LC2) TO MAINTAIN AN AWARENESS OF THE TRAFFIC SITUATION, CULMINATING IN THE INAPPROPRIATE CLEARANCES AND THE SUBSEQUENT COLLISION OF THE USAIR AND SKYWEST AIRCRAFT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF THE FAA TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE QUALITY ASSURANCE OF THE ATC SYSTEM. (NTSB REPORT AAR-91/08) Full narrative is not available ----- Original Message ----- From: "Richard A Whitenight" <rum.runner@juno.com> To: <AIRLINE@LISTSERV.CUNY.EDU> Sent: Monday, May 27, 2002 12:01 Subject: Re: Window shield must be open on take-off? > Knee How Maw (pardon my poor phonetic Chinese) Mr Yu. I've always > wondered that myself. Could it be they want people to realize that > they're actually taking off <grin>? > > Richard > On Mon, 27 May 2002 12:35:05 +0800 "Chi Shing YU [QMD]" <csyu@hkpc.org> > writes: > > Anybody knows WHY the FA always requests the window shield (curtain) > > open = > > during take-off? > > > > C.S. > > >