Top US Accident Investigator Says Close Calls Between Planes Show That Aviation Is Under Stress

(Associated Press) – The nation’s top accident investigator says a surge in close calls between planes at U.S. airports this year is a clear warning sign that aviation is under stress.

Jennifer Homendy, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, told a Senate panel Thursday that close calls are incredibly rare, but we cannot ignore the recent increase in such events.

Representatives of unions for pilots and air traffic controllers and a former chief of the Federal Aviation Administration  are testifying at the same hearing.