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United Airlines warns pilots after 'major safety events and near-misses'

"Let’s not for a moment think something like that could not happen at United," company officials said about a fatal crash.

By Amy R. Connolly
United Airlines officials sent a scathing safety warning to pilots, chastising them for "major safety events and near-misses." Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI
United Airlines officials sent a scathing safety warning to pilots, chastising them for "major safety events and near-misses." Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo

CHICAGO, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- United Airlines officials sent a scathing safety warning to pilots, chastising them for "major safety events and near-misses" and demanding they pay closer attention while operating the aircraft.

The memo, sent by Howard Attarian, senior vice president of flight operations, and Mike Quiello, vice president of corporate safety, said there have been a series of serious incidents that raise concerns. That includes one in which a pilot had to do an emergency pull-up maneuver when the plane got too close to the ground and another where the aircraft left in an "undesirable aircraft state" and arrived with low fuel.

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"The common thread with all of these is that they are preventable. We must ask ourselves, "Do we have our priorities in line every time we put on our uniforms and strap into the airplane?," the memo said.

The safety warning went on to say that there has been a "lack of attention" to pre-departure briefings and strict compliance with rules that keep planes from landing too fast or too far down the runway. Officials pointed to the 2013 fatal crash of a United Parcel Service cargo jet that smashed into a hill while attempting to land in Birmingham. The National Transportation Safety Board found crew error and failure to follow up on safety procedures led to the crash, which killed both pilots aboard.

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"The approach and landing appeared normal to the pilots until right before impact. Let's not for a moment think something like that could not happen at United," officials said.

The memo cites pilot movement, including retirements, seat movements and new hires, as "significant risk to the operation."

"While no one ever shows up to work with the goal of intentionally making a mistake, we are human and mistakes happen. What we can control is how we conduct ourselves on each and every flight," officials said.

The Wall Street Journal reported the pilot's union said the company's concerns are "very valid," adding that there have been shorter trainings and a degradation of respect for the captain's authority.

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