(FAA: Washington, D.C.) -- The Federal Aviation Administration has announced steps to strengthen the reporting system designed to classify airspace errors, in response to a report by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Inspector General (IG) that revealed the intentional misclassification of operational errors at the Dallas-Fort Worth Terminal Approach Control (TRACON).

In direct response to IG’s recommendations, the FAA removed the facility manager and assistant manager at the Dallas-Fort Worth TRACON from their positions pending a final determination on possible further personnel actions; additional personnel actions may be taken. The Air Traffic Safety Oversight organization has implemented unannounced on-site audits at the TRACON, requiring monthly reports to the FAA’s acting administrator.

Additionally, the FAA will accelerate deployment of the Traffic Analysis Review Program (TARP)—software that automatically detects losses of aircraft separation at terminal facilities—at Dallas-Fort Worth TRACON. The program will be implemented by the end of fiscal year 2008.

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