Contact: Rob Kulat
Kulat Communications
(732) 219-5816
NJAA STATEMENT REGARDING INCIDENT AT TETERBORO AIRPORT
Trenton, NJ (2/3/05) – “On behalf of all the members of the New Jersey Aviation Association, our thoughts go out to the passengers, crew, and the families of those involved in the Bombardier Challenger CL-600 incident at Teterboro yesterday.
“Speculation about the cause of this accident is premature and inappropriate until a deliberate and full investigation is complete. We feel the NTSB and the FAA should be allowed to do their job unimpeded.
“While yesterday’s incident was very unfortunate, it is important to note that historically, corporate and business aircraft operators have compiled the best safety statistics of any segment of general aviation. The result of the industry’s continuing emphasis on safety is self evident: corporate aircraft have compiled a safety record comparable to that of the commercial airlines.
“The fatal accident rate in corporate aviation is 0.014 per 100,000 hours – which is nearly identical to that of the scheduled air carriers, 0.012 per 100,000 hours.
“This safety record holds true for Teterboro, too. Those who speculate that Teterboro should be closed or flights curtailed overlook some important facts. There has never been a fatal accident involving a takeoff of a business jet at Teterboro, according to the NTSB’s database. In the last 40 years, business jets have been involved in only three non fatal accidents at the airport versus nearly 10 million takes off and landings during the same period of time.
“This is a testament to the safety of business jet aircraft, the pilots who fly them and the companies that use this form of transportation. Ironically, it is business jets that tend to concern the community the most.
“In addition to the safety record at Teterboro, one should not overlook the impact of the airport as an economic engine for the region. According to a 1996 study by the NJ Department of Transportation, Teterboro annually produces $459,680,000 in economic activity and over 6,000 jobs, numbers which are far larger today.
“According to the same study, general aviation airports in New Jersey (including Teterboro) annually contribute $4.6 billion to the State’s economy. In addition to providing access to corporate aircraft, these airports are used by police and homeland security services, air ambulances and emergency services, organ transplants, professional sports teams, and recreational pilots.
“Airports such as Teterboro and the aircraft that use them are regulated by the FAA, not by State or local authorities. Issues involving airport safety, aircraft safety, noise and flight paths are constantly and carefully monitored by the FAA, which has created the safest transportation system in the world.
“All forms of transportation experience accidents from time to time, and it is our intent to carefully follow all accidents and support preventative measures after the facts are known and sound judgment and review are applied.”
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Editors Note: Interviews with NJAA President Jack Olcott are available.
New Jersey Aviation Association
1 Airport Road, Morristown, NJ 07960-4651
Phone: 973 734 9994 - Fax: 973 734 9995
