Air Travel Safety Study (broadcast Friday, November 2nd, 2007)

A NASA study found that serious safety problems, including aircraft near collisions and runway interference, occur far more often in the aviation industry than previously recognized. The agency, however, initially resisted making the results of the study public, telling the Associated Press that the report should remain secret because the findings could alarm passengers or harm industry profits. Following intense public pressure, including Congressional hearings, NASA administrator Michael Griffin said that the agency's initial response was 'a mistake' and pledged to release the data after it had been scrubbed clean of data that could identify specific pilots. In this segment, Ira talks with Congressman Mark Udall, chair of the space and aeronautics subcommittee of the House committee on science and technology about Griffin's testimony. Teachers, find more information about using Science Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids' Connection.