NTSB Asks for "Same Level of Safety for Aged Airframes"

At the 16 to 19 April Aging Aircraft Conference in Palm Springs, Calif, before the aging elite of aircraft infirmity, NTSB Chairman Mark Rosenker went over the Board's experience with elderly airplanes. He pointed out that:
a. most older airplanes have no inspection program, and
b. in the case of military surplus aircraft, unknown service histories, and with
c. no fatigue analysis factored into their design, and
d. a continued bold operation of many types beyond their useful lifespan

Rosenker cited a number of exemplar accidents where aging had been a factor in either airframe structure or aging wiring. He went as far as saying that operation of some aged (as against aging) airplanes was not safe. Such operations didn't mesh with the Board's view that "All passengers should have the same level of safety." He reminded the assemblage that, per NTSB safety recommendations issued to that effect, the FAA should require reviews of records, stringent aging airplane inspections, and supplemental inspections for all airplanes operated under Part's 121, 129 and 135 - regardless of the year they were type certificated, the number of passengers they carry or their maximum payload." He appeared to be preaching to the converted.