NickLappos
12th May 2005, 15:23
From AIN Alerts (http://www.ainalerts.com/ainalerts/alerts/current.html#top)
NTSB Preparing Recommendations on EMS Helos
"Watch for the NTSB to release soon recommendations intended to improve the safety of EMS helicopter operations, according to a report yesterday in The Wall Street Journal. A spokesman for the Safety Board declined to comment specifically on the report but did tell AIN that the agency is “looking at helicopter EMS operations and is working on recommendations.” The report said the expected recommendations follow a Safety Board analysis of more than 40 accidents involving EMS helicopters. The Journal reported that the recommendations call on the FAA to require use of night-vision goggles and installation of enhanced terrain awareness warning systems, as well as to adopt more stringent regulations governing reduced-visibility operations. Last year there were six fatal accidents involving EMS helicopters compared with four in 2003, according to safety analyst Robert E. Breiling Associates of Boca Raton, Fla. The NTSB said 37 people died in 12 EMS helicopter and airplane crashes last year compared to seven in 2003. NTSB records show that so far this year, four people have been killed in three EMS helicopter accidents and three people died in a turboprop accident."
Notice how they are calling for hard Catagory A, since it is the most important thing they can do to make helicopters safer!
NTSB Preparing Recommendations on EMS Helos
"Watch for the NTSB to release soon recommendations intended to improve the safety of EMS helicopter operations, according to a report yesterday in The Wall Street Journal. A spokesman for the Safety Board declined to comment specifically on the report but did tell AIN that the agency is “looking at helicopter EMS operations and is working on recommendations.” The report said the expected recommendations follow a Safety Board analysis of more than 40 accidents involving EMS helicopters. The Journal reported that the recommendations call on the FAA to require use of night-vision goggles and installation of enhanced terrain awareness warning systems, as well as to adopt more stringent regulations governing reduced-visibility operations. Last year there were six fatal accidents involving EMS helicopters compared with four in 2003, according to safety analyst Robert E. Breiling Associates of Boca Raton, Fla. The NTSB said 37 people died in 12 EMS helicopter and airplane crashes last year compared to seven in 2003. NTSB records show that so far this year, four people have been killed in three EMS helicopter accidents and three people died in a turboprop accident."
Notice how they are calling for hard Catagory A, since it is the most important thing they can do to make helicopters safer!