HAI enlists industry help to stop amendment SA2060
Source: HAI, 21-Nov-12
One of the measures on tap for the U.S. Congress’s lame duck session is to pass a bill that would reform the Postal Service (S.1789), due to its serious financial issues. However, the bill contains an amendment (SA2060) that would permit all federal agencies to attend only one association meeting per year. The category of “association meetings” [...]
FAA and industry share safety data with NTSB
Source: FAA, 09-Nov-12
The Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), airlines and aviation labor unions today announced a partnership with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to share summarized safety information that could help prevent accidents. The information, shared through an initiative called the Aviation Safety Information Analysis and Sharing (ASIAS) Executive Board, will help the NTSB [...]
HAI Safety Committee Advisor to head NTSB Alaska office
Source: HAI, 26-Sep-12
On Sept. 24, NTSB Chairman Deborah A. P. Hersman named senior air safety investigator Clinton O. Johnson as Chief of the Office of Aviation Safety’s Anchorage, Alaska Regional Office. “It gives me great pleasure to announce Clint’s selection to head the Anchorage office,” said Chairman Hersman. “Clint has deep roots in Alaska and has distinguished himself [...]
NTSB to participate in AirVenture at Oshkosh
Source: NTSB, 23-Jul-12
This week senior investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board will provide 20 presentations on a variety of aviation safety issues at AirVenture 2012, the Experimental Aircraft Association’s annual fly-in convention in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The NTSB has added new emphasis to general aviation as a safety advocacy priority. Last year general aviation safety was added [...]
NTSB Issues Safety Alert on Limitations of In-Cockpit Weather Radar Displays
Source: NTSB, 21-Jun-12
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) yesterday issued a Safety Alert to warn pilots using in-cockpit FIS-B and Satellite Weather display systems that the NEXRAD “age indicator” can be misleading. The actual NEXRAD data can be as much as 20 minutes older than the age indication on the display in the cockpit. If misinterpreted, this [...]
New head of NTSB Office of Aviation Safety named
Source: NTSB, 28-May-12
National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Deborah A. P. Hersman announced the selection of John DeLisi as the new Director of the Office of Aviation Safety (OAS). Mr. DeLisi will assume his new position on June 2, 2012 following the retirement of Tom Haueter, the current director. “It gives me great pleasure to announce John’s selection [...]
Cognitive Interviewing and Aviation Accident Investigation Courses Offered by NTSB
Source: NTSB, 28-May-12
The National Transportation Safety Board is offering three courses in the coming months at its training center just outside Washington, D.C. Slots are still available in the two-day COGNITIVE INTERVIEWING FOR ACCIDENT INVESTIGATORS course (June 19-20), which provides participants with the tools to conduct sound investigative interviews of participants in, and witnesses to, transportation incidents [...]
NTSB Safety Recommendations on Amateur-Built Aircraft
Source: HAI, 25-May-12
A gap in safety between experimental and certificated aircraft is widest on the first flight, and the early hours of flying in a new pilot’s hands. That is among the conclusions of a detailed analysis released by the NTSB on May 22 along with a set of recommended changes approved unanimously by the board. Working [...]
ARSA suggests changes to NTSB certificate review actions
Source: ARSA, 11-Apr-12
ARSA submitted comments to a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) regarding the rules of practice in air safety proceedings. ARSA’s comments propose changes that would bring balance to FAA certificate actions by giving a repair station greater ability to defend itself in the face of agency actions, when appealed to the NTSB. [...]
NTSB Chairman supports National Sleep Awareness Week
Source: NTSB, 06-Mar-12
For decades, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has investigated accidents and incidents, across all modes of transportation where fatigue was a causal or contributory factor. National Sleep Awareness Week (March 5-9) and the start of daylight savings time on Sunday, reminds transportation operators and the public to focus on fatigue. “While alcohol is often [...]
NTSB Chairman to deliver keynote address at Heli-Expo
Source: HAI, 08-Feb-12
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman will deliver the keynote address during the HAI annual general membership meeting, Sunday, February 12, 2012, at HELI-EXPO® in Dallas, HAI President Matt Zuccaro has confirmed. “We’re looking forward to hearing Chairman Hersman’s thoughts on how we can continue to improve helicopter safety,” said Zuccaro. “While we’re [...]
NTSB completes data collection on experimental – amateur built aircraft accidents
Source: NTSB, 26-Jan-12
Throughout the 2011 calendar year, the National Transportation Safety Board has been conducting a study of Experimental Amateur-Built (E-AB) aircraft to evaluate the safety of this growing and innovative segment of general aviation. In addition to using the information gathered during its accident investigations, the NTSB has been working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), [...]
NTSB Chairman to deliver keynote address at Heli-Expo
Source: HAI, 26-Jan-12
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman will deliver the keynote address during the HAI annual general membership meeting, Sunday, February 12, 2012, at HELI-EXPO® in Dallas, HAI President Matt Zuccaro has confirmed. “We’re looking forward to hearing Chairman Hersman’s thoughts on how we can continue to improve helicopter safety,” said Zuccaro. “While we’re [...]
NTSB Preliminary Report – 26-Nov-11 N5016M Bell 206B
Source: NTSB, 05-Jan-12
This is the text from the Preliminary Report. By its very nature, the details are subject to change and should not be relied upon. The Final Report for this incident will be issued in due course:- On December 26, 2011, at 0554 eastern daylight time, a Bell 206B, N5016M, operated by SK Logistics, d.b.a. SK [...]
Lawsuit filed in fatal Sundance crash by Kansas City attorney
Source: Kansas City Star, 15-Dec-11
The first wrongful death lawsuit was filed Tuesday in Nevada on behalf of the families of a honeymooning couple from India killed in a Las Vegas sightseeing helicopter crash that also took the lives of the pilot and a Kansas couple celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. (see full story)
NTSB: Sundance AS350 was off-route in low-light conditions
Source: HeliHub.com, 14-Dec-11
The NTSB preliminary report cites the following factors which they evidently see as very important in this stage of their investigation (1) the impact location in a narrow ravine (2) the non-standard routing taken by the pilot (3) dusk light conditions Check out the details in the Preliminary report Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com
NTSB Preliminary Report – 07-Dec-11 N37SH Eurocopter AS350B2
Source: NTSB, 14-Dec-11
On December 7, 2011 at 1630 Pacific Standard Time, a Eurocopter AS350-B2, registration N37SH, operated by Sundance Helicopters as flight Landmark 57, crashed in mountainous terrain approximately 14 miles east of Las Vegas, Nevada. The 14 CFR Part 135 flight was a tourist sightseeing flight, which departed from Las Vegas McCarren International Airport (LAS), Las [...]
NTSB to Hold Public Hearing on Air Race and Air Show Safety
Source: NTSB, 11-Dec-11
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is holding a hearing on air race and air show safety. The hearing will be chaired by NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman, and all five Board members will participate. During the one-day meeting, the Board will gather information on the safety regulations and oversight in the planning and execution [...]
NTSB Preliminary Report – 24-Nov-11 N821JV Robinson R44
Source: NTSB, 11-Dec-11
This is the text from the Preliminary Report. By its very nature, the details are subject to change and should not be relied upon. The Final Report for this incident will be issued in due course:- On November 24, 2011, approximately 1900 central standard time, a Robinson R44 II helicopter, N821JV, sustained substantial damage when [...]
NTSB has 12-member team for fatal Sundance AS350 accident in Nevada
Source: NTSB, 09-Dec-11
The National Transportation Safety Board has launched a 12-member Go-Team to investigate the crash of a helicopter on a sight-seeing tour that occurred near Las Vegas at about 5:00 p.m. PT on Wednesday. Preliminary reports indicate that all five persons on board the helicopter were fatally injured. Senior Air Safety Investigator Bill English will serve [...]
NTSB Preliminary Report 15-Nov-11 N502AW Bell UH-1
Source: NTSB, 24-Nov-11
On November 15, 2011, at 0837 mountain standard time, a restricted category Williams Helicopter Corporation, UH-1H, N502AW, experienced a loss of power, made a hard landing, and came to rest on its right side about 3 miles northwest of the Valle Airport (40G), Grand Canyon, Arizona. The pilot operated the helicopter under the provisions of [...]
NTSB Preliminary Report – 10-Nov-11 N11QV Eurocopter EC130
Source: NTSB, 18-Nov-11
This is the text from the Preliminary Report. By its very nature, the details are subject to change and should not be relied upon. The Final Report for this incident will be issued in due course:- On November 10, 2011, about 1214 Hawaiian standard time, a Eurocopter EC 130 B4, N11QV, collided with mountainous terrain [...]
NTSB Preliminary Report – 05-Nov-11 N413RM Robinson R22
Source: NTSB, 18-Nov-11
This is the text from the Preliminary Report. By its very nature, the details are subject to change and should not be relied upon. The Final Report for this incident will be issued in due course:- On November 5, 2011, about 1620 eastern standard time, a Robinson R22 BETA, N413RM, operated by Ocean Helicopters Inc., [...]
NTSB Preliminary Report – 03-Nov-11 N130AL Eurocopter EC130
Source: NTSB, 18-Nov-11
This is the text from the Preliminary Report. By its very nature, the details are subject to change and should not be relied upon. The Final Report for this incident will be issued in due course:- On November 3, 2011, about 1815 eastern standard time, N130AL, a Eurocopter EC 130 B4, sustained substantial damage during [...]
NTSB to assist Mexico in AS332 accident investigation
Source: NTSB, 14-Nov-11
At the request of the Mexican Government, the NTSB is sending a team of investigators to assist in their investigation of Friday’s crash of an Aerospatiale AS 332L Super Puma. On November 11, 2011, about 0845 local time, the Eurocopter, enroute from Camp Marte, Mexico to Cuernavaca, Morelos, crashed in a rural area south of [...]
NTSB announce draft agenda for Public Aircraft Safety Forum
Source: NTSB, 12-Nov-11
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) today announced the preliminary agenda for a two-day Public Aircraft Oversight Safety Forum which will begin at 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 30, 2011 and continue through Thursday, December 1st. NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman will chair the forum and all five Board Members will participate. The forum is open [...]
NTSB Preliminary Report – 29-Oct-11 N165EH Eurocopter AS350B2
Source: NTSB, 07-Nov-11
This is the text from the Preliminary Report. By its very nature, the details are subject to change and should not be relied upon. The Final Report for this incident will be issued in due course:- On October 29, 2011, about 2009 Alaska daylight time (ADT), a Eurocopter AS350-B2 helicopter, N165EH, sustained substantial damage during [...]
NTSB Preliminary Report – 27-Oct-11 N61PJ MD500D
Source: NTSB, 07-Nov-11
This is the text from the Preliminary Report. By its very nature, the details are subject to change and should not be relied upon. The Final Report for this incident will be issued in due course:- On October 27, 2011, about 1440 Pacific daylight time, a McDonnell Douglas MD-500D helicopter, N61PJ, was substantially damaged during [...]
NTSB Factual Report – 15-Oct-11 YV-O-126 Bell 412
Source: NTSB, 28-Oct-11
This is the text from the Factual Report, the contents of which are the responsibility of the NTSB. As this is not the Final Report, the details are subject to change and should not be relied upon:- On October 15, 2011, at 1933 UTC, a Bell 412SP, YV0126, registered to and operated by Electrificacion del [...]
NTSB Preliminary Report – 04-Oct-11 N3925A Eurocopter EC120B
Source: NTSB, 28-Oct-11
This is the text from the Preliminary Report. By its very nature, the details are subject to change and should not be relied upon. The Final Report for this incident will be issued in due course:- On October 4, 2011, approximately 1250 central daylight time, N3925A, a Eurocopter EC120B, sustained substantial damage while making a [...]
NTSB Preliminary Report – 04-Oct-11 N63Q Bell 206B
Source: NTSB, 28-Oct-11
This is the text from the Preliminary Report. By its very nature, the details are subject to change and should not be relied upon. The Final Report for this incident will be issued in due course:- On October 4, 2011, at 1525 eastern daylight time, a Bell 206B, N63Q, registered to a private owner, crashed [...]
Disaster response courses offered at NTSB Training Center
Source: NTSB, 06-Oct-11
The National Transportation Safety Board is offering two investigative courses and one transportation disaster response course over the next two months at its training center just outside Washington, D.C. The two-day AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION FOR AVIATION PROFESSIONALS course (Oct 26-27) provides participants with an overview of how the Safety Board investigates major aircraft accidents and [...]
Amateur-build buyer suspended for registration and airworthiness violations
Source: HeliHub.com, 01-Oct-11
Here’s an interesting, and impactful story of the US legal system proving an amateur-built helicopter was both incorrectly registered and violated certain airworthiness regulations. The potential exists for the details of this case to be felt wider in the future. See NTSB statement and comment from Reigel Law Firm. Actual accident referred to was N75EW [...]
FAA Administrator, NTSB Vice Chairman to speak at helicopter safety symposium
Source: IHST, 17-Sep-11
Administrator Randy Babbitt of the Federal Aviation Administration and Vice Chairman Robert Sumwalt of the National Transportation Safety Board will be featured speakers at the International Helicopter Safety Symposium taking place in Fort Worth, TX, on Nov. 8-9. The theme of the fifth annual symposium for the worldwide helicopter industry will be Human Factors: our Collective [...]
NTSB Vice Chairman in for second term
Source: NTSB, 29-Aug-11
Christopher Hart was sworn in today for his second two-year term as NTSB vice chairman. He became a board member for the second time on August 12, 2009, and six days later was designated as vice chairman by President Obama. Vice Chairman Hart had previously served as an NTSB board member from 1990 to 1993. [...]
NTSB makes R44 mast bumping recommendations
Source: NTSB, 24-Aug-11
The NTSB has issued a long statement of recommendations to the FAA following their investigation of a May 2009 accident to a Robinson R44 operated by Alaska State Troopers. The recommendations are summarised at the end of the document as:- Therefore, the National Transportation Safety Board makes the following recommendations to the Federal Aviation Administration: [...]
Deborah Hersman sworn in for second term as NTSB Chairman
Source: NTSB, 18-Aug-11
Deborah Hersman was officially sworn in today for a second two-year term as NTSB chairman. She became chairman on July 28, 2009. She was nominated for the second term by President Barack Obama on June 28, 2011, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on August 2nd. “I am deeply honored to continue serving as chairman [...]
NTSB to offer training on emergency communications involved in major aircraft accidents
Source: NTSB, 11-Aug-11
The National Transportation Safety Board is devoting two days at its Training Center to offer guidance to aviation public affairs professionals on how to most effectively manage emergency communications following a major aircraft accident or incident. The training will be offered on October 13-14, 2011, at the NTSB Training Center in Ashburn, Virginia, (near Washington, [...]
NTSB offering rotorcraft accident investigation course late August
Source: NTSB, 24-Jul-11
The National Transportation Safety Board is offering two investigative courses and one transportation disaster response course over the next two months at its training center just outside Washington, D.C. The five-day ROTORCRAFT ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION course (Aug. 22-26) provides participants with a comprehensive overview of the procedures and methods used and the skills required with all [...]
NTSB undertakes comprehensive study of experimental amateur-built aircraft safety
Source: NTSB, 22-Jul-11
The National Transportation Safety Board has launched a study of accidents involving E-AB (sometimes called homebuilt) aircraft in order to evaluate the safety of this growing and innovative segment of general aviation. The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) will support the project by hosting a web-based survey for E-AB owners of the aircraft; their survey findings [...]
NTSB makes safety recommendations to ALEA
Source: NTSB, 21-Jul-11
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is an independent U.S. Federal government agency charged by the U.S. Congress with investigating transportation accidents, determining their probable cause, and making recommendations to prevent similar accidents from occurring. We are providing the following information to urge your organization to take action on the safety recommendations in this letter. [...]
NTSB announces Top 10 critical changes to save lives
Source: NTSB, 27-Jun-11
Top 10 critical changes needed to reduce transportation accidents and save lives The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) today announced its new list of the most critical transportation issues that need to be addressed to improve safety and save lives. The new “Most Wanted List” highlights 10 safety issues that impact transportation nationwide. The announcement [...]
NTSB puts New Mexico AW109E blame on pilot error and State Police policies
25-May-11
An investigation of a fatal helicopter crash in the mountains above Santa Fe nearly two years ago has found blame with both the pilot and the state police organization he worked for
Metal fatigue blamed for 2009 helicopter accident at Turtle Bay
Source: Star Advertiser, 24-May-11
Metal fatigue probably caused a left rear landing skid strut to collapse on a helicopter operated by K&S Helicopters Inc. at the Turtle Bay Resort Heliport in 2009, according to a National Transportation Safety Board investigation. HeliHub.com accident report page at 20-Nov-09 N551CR MD Helicopters MD369E Oahu, US-Hawaii
NTSB issues safety alert on unmarked weather observation towers
Source: NTSB, 13-Mar-11
The National Transportation Safety Board has issued a Safety Alert to warn pilots of low-flying aircraft about the dangers associated with unmarked towers built to record weather observations. The Meteorological Evaluation Towers (METs), many of which fall just below the 200-foot Federal Aviation Administration threshold for obstruction markings, can be difficult to see from the [...]
NTSB to host volunteer pilot safety seminar on March 25
Source: NTSB, 11-Mar-11
The National Transportation Safety Board, Angel Flight, and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) will hold a volunteer pilot safety stand down seminar at the NTSB Training Center in Ashburn, Virginia on March 25, 2011. Below is the seminar’s agenda: Keynote Address: Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman, National Transportation Safety Board 9:00-9:30 am. Sessions: NTSB · Four [...]
NTSB establishes presence on YouTube and Twitter
Source: NTSB, 11-Feb-11
The National Transportation Safety Board has established a Twitter account and a YouTube channel as the Safety Board broadens its communication efforts by moving into social media. The handle for the Twitter account is “ntsb” (www.twitter.com/ntsb). The YouTube channel is “ntsbgov” (http://www.youtube.com/ntsbgov). “Transparency and open government are key components of NTSB’s agenda to improve transportation [...]
Safety concerns of US Government planes and helicopters
Source: The Edwards Law Firm, 06-Feb-11
Most would think government aircraft are some of the safest in the country. As it turns out, this is likely not the case. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which regulates airlines, lacks the authority to regulate the safety of aircraft operated by state and local governments or other [...]
NTSB study shows airbags can provide protection in GA accidents
Source: NTSB, 12-Jan-11
Today the National Transportation Safety Board adopted a study that concluded that general aviation (GA) airplanes equipped with airbags provide additional protection to occupants in accidents involving survivable forward impacts. Airbags are designed to mitigate head and upper body injuries and are installed in the lap belt or shoulder harness portions of the restraint system. [...]
Drugs a factor in fatal B206 accident
06-Jan-11
NTSB report noted that an autopsy revealed traces of an antihistamine and an opiate on the body of pilot Dennis Donovan, aged 70. See also HeliHub.com accident report page – 05-Jan-10 N5016U Bell B206 nr Redinger Lake, US-California (4F)
NTSB seeks comments on proposed rules for aviation certificate enforcement cases
Source: NTSB, 04-Jan-11
The NTSB has issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) seeking comments from the public regarding amendments to its procedural rules dealing with review of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certificate actions and its rules concerning applications for fees and expenses under the Equal Access to Justice Act. The NTSB listed three main reasons for [...]
NTSB: Government aircraft are safety ‘orphans’
Source: Fosters Daily Democrat, 13-Dec-10
FAA says it doesn’t have the authority to regulate the safety of aircraft operated by other federal agencies or state and local governments – and they (exception the military) generally don’t have the aviation expertise to do it themselves.
Pilot in fatal crash initially declined to fly NM rescue mission
Source: Star Tribune, 13-Dec-10
NTSB raised questions about a pilot’s decision to fly the rescue mission and whether the pilot was overworked before starting the mission, and it disclosed he was taking prescription medication for depression. Helihub.com accident report here
Carson S61 co-pilot disputes crash report
Source: Mercury News, 11-Dec-10
William “Bill” Coultas of Cave Junction says the NTSB ignored his written and oral testimony that loss of power in an engine caused the crash of the S61
NTSB pins blame on Carson Helicopters for fatal firefighting S61 crash
Source: KDRV, 08-Dec-10
The NTSB stated that Carson Helicopters deliberately withheld information on the aircraft’s safety specifications. Those actions “included the intentional alteration of weight documents and performance charts and the use of unapproved performance calculations”
NTSB cites lack of bird strike resistant windshield requirements in fatal PHi S76 crash
Source: NTSB, 25-Nov-10
The National Transportation Safety Board today released a final report on a fatal crash involving a transport-category helicopter caused by a bird strike. The Board said the lack of requirements for bird strike-resistant windshields contributed to the crash, and called on the FAA to develop such requirements. On January 4, 2009, a dual-engine Sikorsky S-76C++ [...]
NTSB still has seats available on Emergency Responders course
Source: NTSB, 02-Nov-10
The National Transportation Safety Board’s course, “Transportation Disaster Response – A Course for Emergency Responders,” scheduled for November 16-18, 2010, at the NTSB Training Center in Ashburn, Virginia, still has openings for those who may have a role in responding to major transportation accidents. NTSB specialists and speakers from the FBI, the New Jersey State [...]
NTSB finds lapses in smoke jumper crashes
Source: USA Today, 12-Oct-10
Federal investigators probing a helicopter crash that killed seven firefighters during a California blaze have uncovered widespread violations and falsified records
New York mid-air – helicopter was flying too high
Source: New York Daily News, 15-Sep-10
The Liberty Helicopter Tour aircraft, which took off for a 12 minute sightseeing trip around the Manhattan skyline, was supposed to stop climbing when it hit 1,000 feet, the NTSB reported
NTSB concerned over FAA delay in helicopter safety
Source: JEMS, 02-Sep-10
The board wants the FAA to require EMS helicopter operators to install Terrain Awareness Warning Systems (TAWS) on helicopters
NTSB confirm helicopter exemption from reporting runway incursions
Source: NTSB, 24-Jun-10
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued correcting amendments to a final rule that was published in the Federal Register on January 7, 2010 and became effective March 8, 2010. The final rule required the reporting of certain runway incursions, but did not specify that helicopters are exempt from one of the provisions and [...]
NTSB offers rotorcraft accident investigation course
Source: NTSB, 25-May-10
The National Transportation Safety Board has developed a five-day course in rotorcraft accident investigation that will be delivered at its training center near Washington in August. The course, which has been in development for more than a year, was designed to provide investigators from regulatory authorities, investigative agencies, private industry, and potential parties to an [...]
NTSB: Pilot of plane had mere seconds to see rising helicopter in NYC air-to-air
Source: CNN, 30-Apr-10
The pilot of a small plane that collided with a sightseeing helicopter over New York’s Hudson River last summer had scant seconds to see the helicopter as it rose to his altitude
AAMS Hails White House Nomination of Rosekind to NTSB Board
Source: Vertical, 06-Oct-09
The Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) today applauded the White House for nominating Mark R. Rosekind, Ph.D., an expert on fatigue and its effects on productivity and safe flight operations, to the National Transportation Safety Board.
NTSB Chairman testifies before Congress concerning Hudson River airspace
Source: NTSB, 17-Sep-09
NTSB Chairman Deborah A. P. Hersman testified on the status of the ongoing investigation into the mid-air collision over the Hudson River. The collision occurred on August 8 between a helicopter and an airplane. All 9 persons on board both aircraft were killed. Chairman Hersman provided an overview of the ongoing investigation based on facts [...]
NTSB issues recommendations for EMS industry
Source: NTSB, 02-Sep-09
The NTSB issued 19 recommendations regarding Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS). These recommendations address various safety issues including pilot training; safety management systems to minimize risk; collection and analysis of flight, weather, and safety data; flight data monitoring; development of a low altitude airspace infrastructure; and the use of dual pilots, autopilots, and night vision [...]
NTSB issues recommendations regarding Hudson River Class B exclusion area
Source: NTSB, 28-Aug-09
The NTSB today issued five safety recommendations to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) resulting from the Safety Board’s ongoing investigation of the midair collision over the Hudson River near Hoboken, New Jersey on August 8, 2009. The collision of a Eurocopter AS350 BA helicopter, and a Piper PA-32R-300 airplane caused nine fatalities, including the pilot [...]
Recommendations on HEMS on NTSB public meeting agenda 1st September
Source: NTSB, 28-Aug-09
The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a public Board meeting on Tuesday, September 1, 2009 at 9:30 a.m., in its Board Room and Conference Center, 429 L’Enfant Plaza, SW, Washington, DC.
NATCA ousted from Hudson River investigation for breaching protocol
Source: CharterX, 25-Aug-09
“At the outset of the investigation, the organizations sign an agreement to abide by NTSB party rules,” says the NTSB in a press release issued this evening. “Among the rules parties agree to is that they will not reveal investigative information being learned through that process, nor publicly comment on it.”
NTSB head says FAA failed to act on ‘scores of recommendations’ on shared air space
Source: NY Daily News, 12-Aug-09
The FAA, she charged, has failed to make changes. “We believe if the recommendations were implemented, aviation safety would be improved,” the blunt-speaking Hersman said. She said 225 aircraft fly within 3 miles of the crash site every day, and pilots below 1,100 feet are free to choose their routes without monitoring from air-traffic controllers.
NTSB Expands Release Of Accident Investigation Public Dockets Available Online From Next Week
Source: NTSB, 29-May-09
