(Jan 19, 2011)

The New England Center for Investigative Reporting published the article, "Close calls, narrow escapes: Records detail thousands of reports of safety slips in Bay State air travel" based on reports submitted to the NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS). This article was later republished by several other news organizations. It includes quotes from NASA ASRS Director Linda Connell describing the benefits and goals of the ASRS. Established in 1975 under a memorandum of understanding between NASA and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the ASRS collects, analyzes and responds to voluntarily submitted aviation safety incident reports to reduce aviation accidents and improve safety. The confidential reports are also used to identify deficiencies and discrepancies in the National Aviation System that need to be remedied.