FAA Safety Alert Warns Air Carriers of Visual Approach Risks | Aviation International News

FAA SAFO Warns Air Carriers of Visual Approach Risks

Agency stresses use of ‘unable’ when clearances reduce safety margins

Newark Airport

By Kerry Lynch • Editor, AIN monthly magazine

April 14, 2025

Citing several recent “notable and high-visibility events,” the FAA is urging air carriers and pilots to review available safety information, practice safety management system (SMS) principles, and examine their operational procedures to understand the risks associated with visual approaches.

In a new Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO 25001), the FAA said the severity of the events in recent months is concerning. “As the NAS continues to grow in use and complexity, efforts have been ongoing to prevent unsafe operations such as runway incursions, unstable approaches, altitude and route deviations, and runway identification errors,” the agency said. “In light of recent events, the FAA identified the need to ensure all operators and pilots understand and evaluate the risks associated with the acceptance and execution of visual approaches.”

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