VOA常速英语2007-Congress Demands Release of Air Safety Data

By Mil Arcega
Washington
25 October 2007
 

American news media are reporting that a survey of pilots by the U.S. government found that safety problems involving air carriers happen more frequently than previously¹ known.  The reports say the space agency, NASA, conducted the survey, but did not publish the results over fears they could affect public confidence in air travel.  Some lawmakers are accusing the government of trying to suppress the results because they might hurt airline profits -- a charge NASA firmly denies.  VOA's Mil Arcega reports.

The reports say NASA spent three years developing the questionnaire and three years interviewing 24,000 pilots.  But after completing the $8.5 million survey last year, the space agency allegedly refused to publish its results and asked everyone associated with the project to delete their files. 

"I was flabbergasted by that," said Joe Krosnick, a professor at Stanford University. He helped develop the survey after speaking with pilots. "What they said to us over and over again was that lots of things go wrong that they believe increase the risk of accidents – that could be cheaply and easily solved."

The survey reportedly uncovered numerous safety problems from near misses, runway interference, to engine failures.  A NASA document obtained by Associated Press says, "The release of the data could affect public confidence and hurt the commercial welfare of air carriers."

But Democratic Party Congressman² Brad Miller³ says that is not for the space agency to decide. "It is part of NASA's job to make sure aviation is safe.  It is not NASA's job to make airline travelers think that everything is fine or to protect airline profits."

Congress has launched a formal investigation⁴.  Democratic Congressman Bart Gordon says NASA has been ordered to keep all of its data. "This is a matter of safety,” he said. “We need to know that information, the American public needs to know that information."

The Federal Aviation Administration says it played no role in trying to suppress the information. FAA acting⁵ administrator⁶ Robert Sturgell stated, "We are always interested in safety data and the analysis and mining of aviation safety data."

NASA administrators⁷ have assured Congress the data will not be destroyed, but the agency says it will determine what information, if any, can be released.

1 previously   

adv.以前，先前（地）

参考例句：

• The bicycle tyre blew out at a previously damaged point.自行车胎在以前损坏过的地方又爆开了。
• Let me digress for a moment and explain what had happened previously.让我岔开一会儿，解释原先发生了什么。

2 Congressman   

n.（美）国会议员

参考例句：

• He related several anecdotes about his first years as a congressman.他讲述自己初任议员那几年的几则轶事。
• The congressman is meditating a reply to his critics.这位国会议员正在考虑给他的批评者一个答复。

3 miller   

n.磨坊主

参考例句：

• Every miller draws water to his own mill.磨坊主都往自己磨里注水。
• The skilful miller killed millions of lions with his ski.技术娴熟的磨坊主用雪橇杀死了上百万头狮子。

4 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。

5 acting   

n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的

参考例句：

• Ignore her,she's just acting.别理她，她只是假装的。
• During the seventies,her acting career was in eclipse.在七十年代，她的表演生涯黯然失色。

6 administrator   

n.经营管理者，行政官员

参考例句：

• The role of administrator absorbed much of Ben's energy.行政职务耗掉本很多精力。
• He has proved himself capable as administrator.他表现出管理才能。

7 administrators   

n.管理者( administrator的名词复数 )；有管理（或行政）才能的人；（由遗嘱检验法庭指定的）遗产管理人；奉派暂管主教教区的牧师

参考例句：

• He had administrators under him but took the crucial decisions himself. 他手下有管理人员，但重要的决策仍由他自己来做。 来自辞典例句
• Administrators have their own methods of social intercourse. 办行政的人有他们的社交方式。 来自汉英文学 - 围城