as the cause. They should have investigated the procedure and perhaps discovered the flaws within the procedure. However, they accepted the company's evaluation of cause and did not pursue the matter further.
The safety board, therefore, believes that the regulatory reporting structure had and still has a serious deficiency. Damage to a component identified as 'structurally significant' must be reported in a manner which will assure that the damage and the manner in which it is inflicted is evaluated, and the results of that evaluation disseminated to the operators and airframe manufacturers. Second, damage to a component of this type should be reported regardless of whether it was incurred during flight, ground operations, or maintenance. Finally, damage suffered by these types of structures should be investigated by representatives of the operator, airframe manufacturer, and the administrator.
The Safety Board believes that the facts, conditions, and circumstances of this accident and the information obtained during the investigation illustrate deficiencies in the aviation industry ranging from aircraft design through operations. The safety board recognizes that resource limitations prohibit the FAA from exercising rigid oversight of all facets of the industry. Therefore, the FAA must exercise its authority by insuring that aircraft designs do comply with regulations, that manufacturers quality control programs are effective, that aircraft operators adhere to a proper maintenance program; and that operational procedures adopted by the carriers consider even unique emergencies which might be encountered.
In summary, the safety board recognizes that the overall safety record of the current generation of jet aircraft clearly indicates that the regulatory structure under which U.S. commercial aviation operates and the industry's commitment to safety is basically sound. The safety board, however, is concerned that this accident may be indicative of a climate of complacency. Although the accident in Chicago on May 25 involved only one manufacturer and one carrier, the safety board is concerned that the nature of the identified deficiencies in design, manufacturing, quality control, maintenance and operations may reflect an envirom-nent which could involve the safe operation of other aircraft by other carriers.