Page:KAL801Finalreport.pdf/103

 The Safety Board's evaluation and classification of Safety Recommendation A-95-120 are discussed in section 2.6.2.

Inspections and Tests of MSAW Speakers and the Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System Program (A-97-22 Through A-97-27)

On October 2, 1996, a Piper PA-32-300, N2881W, crashed in a heavily wooded area in Brandywine, Maryland, while on approach to Washington Executive/Hyde Field Airport in Clinton, Maryland. The pilot and two passengers were killed, and the airplane was destroyed. According to MSAW data retrieved from the Washington National TRACON, the accident airplane generated four general terrain warning MSAW alerts during the approach to the airport. A controller-in-training and a fully certified instructor were providing ATC services to the accident airplane from the TRACON's F-2 radar position. In a postaccident interview, both controllers stated that they did not recall seeing or hearing any MSAW alerts. Several other controllers and a supervisor who were stationed at nearby positions about the time of the accident also stated that they did not recall hearing or observing any low-altitude warnings before the accident.

As part of the Safety Board's investigation of this accident, a Board investigator toured the TRACON radar room to observe the control position that provided ATC services to the accident pilot. During this tour, the investigator noted that the MSAW aural alarm speaker, located directly above the F-2 radar position (and the only MSAW speaker in the radar room), was covered with heavy paper held in place with what appeared to be masking tape.

On the basis of its findings during this accident, the Safety Board issued Safety Recommendations A-97-22 through -27 on April 16, 1997. Safety Recommendations A-97-22 and -23 asked the FAA to

On July 1, 1997, the FAA stated that it agreed with the intent of Safety Recommendations A-97-22 and -23. The FAA stated that, on May 7, 1997, it had ordered air traffic division managers to brief facility managers on the issue of muted MSAW speakers and instructed supervisors to conduct a visual inspection of MSAW speakers and remove "any muting devices" from these speakers. In addition, the FAA issued a general