The Commercial Aviation Safety Team, known as CAST, was formed in response to two pivotal government reports on aviation safety. In February 1997, the White House Commission on Aviation Safety and Security issued a report urging both the government and the aviation industry to cut the accident rate by 80 percent over the next decade. Following this, the National Civil Aviation Review Commission released its own report in December, recommending that the FAA collaborate with the industry to create a comprehensive safety plan. This plan aimed to implement many existing safety recommendations while also developing performance measures to track progress towards safety goals.
Recognizing the global nature of aviation, the Commission emphasized that safety must be a worldwide concern, not limited to the U.S. In response, the FAA and industry stakeholders concluded that their efforts in safety advocacy were complementary, leading to the establishment of CAST in 1997. The team set two main objectives: to decrease the U.S. commercial aviation fatal accident rate by 80 percent by 2007 and to partner with international organizations to lower the global fatal accident rate.
CAST’s initiatives, combined with advancements in aircraft technology and regulations, resulted in an impressive 83 percent reduction in the fatality risk for U.S. commercial aviation from 1998 to 2008, according to the FAA.
Looking ahead, CAST is evolving beyond its traditional methods of analyzing past accident data. The group is adopting a proactive stance, focusing on identifying risks and implementing strategies to prevent accidents before they happen. Their goal is to transition towards prognostic safety analysis, aiming for a further 50 percent reduction in U.S. commercial aviation fatality risk between 2010 and 2025.
For more detailed information, refer to the “Fact Sheet – Commercial Aviation Safety Team (CAST)” published by the FAA in April 2016.
Currently, CAST includes representatives from various government organizations, industry associations, and aerospace companies. Key participants include the U.S. and Canadian governments, the FAA, NASA, Transport Canada, and the U.S. Department of Defense, among others. Industry members consist of the Air Line Pilots Association, the Aerospace Industries Association, Airbus, and Boeing, as well as several other notable organizations. Some representatives from other groups also attend CAST meetings as observers.
Additionally, CAST has developed a comprehensive Safety Enhancement Plan, which they have begun to implement, further underscoring their commitment to improving aviation safety.
