In every potential safety hazard, there is probably at least one previous lucky escape.
Unfortunately, the problem is still there and the conditions are still unsafe. Near misses or close calls are events that could have resulted in personal injury, property damage or environmental damage, but did not. But, crucially, these small incidents predict larger accidents to come, according to the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center.
Take the Concorde jet, for example. According to Volpe, the Concorde experienced a series of tire blowouts on the landing gear over a 23-year span. The blowouts damaged the aircraft in various ways, but passengers and crew always remained uninjured. But on July 6, 2000, a tire blowout ruptured a fuel tank, which caused the plane to catch fire. More than 100 people died.
Emerging problems may be invisible due to lack of information or available datya. In the beginning, these problems may often be dismissed as coincidental or one-off incidents. But once reported, these incidents can help create a clearer picture and provide valuable information.
That's why everyone who has a near miss or close call should report the incident. These reports can lead to improvements in facilities and procedures.
