WASHINGTON, July 6 (Reuters) - A U.S. government watchdog will review Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) efforts to prevent airport runway incursions after a series of incidents where airplanes came dangerously close to each other.
The U.S. Transportation Department Office of Inspector General (OIG) said it was opening its audit to assess FAA processes for analyzing data, identifying risks and preventing and mitigating runway incursions.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating six runway incursion events since January including some near catastrophes.
In March, the FAA said it was taking steps to improve air traffic control, convening a safety summit and issuing a safety alert.
In April, it named an independent safety review team and in June announced $100 million for 12 airports to make improvements to taxiways and lighting to reduce runway incursions.
Persons:
Jennifer Homendy, OIG, David Shepardson, David Gregorio Our
Organizations:
U.S, Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, U.S . Transportation Department, National Transportation Safety Board, OIG, FedEx, Southwest Airlines, Boeing, FedEx plane's, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Thomson
Locations:
Austin , Texas, Boston , Florida, New, JFK