Despite longstanding efforts to enhance flight safety, a recent crash between a passenger plane and a military helicopter in Washington revealed significant failures in aviation safety systems. The traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS) is a critical tool used on passenger aircraft to prevent midair accidents by alerting pilots to nearby traffic. While TCAS has a proven track record of saving lives, its effectiveness depends on both its presence on commercial flights and proper installation on military vehicles, the latter of which remains uncertain in this incident.
"An important protection against a midair crash is technology known as a traffic collision avoidance system, or TCAS. The system, which is required on passenger airlines, alerts pilots when two aircraft come dangerously close to each other."
"Years ago, Mr. Cox said, he was descending in a Boeing 737 over Orlando International Airport when the system alerted him and his co-pilot to traffic nearby. The pilots looked around for another aircraft, but saw nothing."
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