NTSB Recommendations on Helicopter Emergency Medical Services

Aug. 27, 2009
The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a public Board meeting on Tuesday, September 1, 2009.

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.

Two items are on the agenda:

* Safety Recommendation letters - Safety Board proposes 19 recommendations regarding Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS). These recommendations addresses 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 imaging systems (NVIS).

* Highway Special Investigative Report - In May 2005, the NTSB began its investigation of a school bus accident that occurred in Liberty, Missouri. During the course of the investigation, information was uncovered that suggested pedal misapplication as a factor in the accident. The NTSB subsequently investigated four additional accidents involving heavy vehicles, dating from 2005 to 2008, in which pedal misapplication was determined to be a factor. The report examines pedal misapplication through the analysis of these five accidents and information gathered from previous work on unintended acceleration incidents. The report evaluates the benefits of brake transmission shift interlock (BTSI) devices, pedal design, positive separation, and event data recorders to determine if they are effective in preventing accidents and whether further preventive measures or actions are needed.

A live and archived webcast of the proceedings will be available on the Board's website at www.ntsb.gov/Events/Boardmeeting.htm. Technical support details are available under "Board Meetings." To report any problems, please call 703-993-3100 and ask for Webcast Technical Support.