Board Meeting to discuss helicopter services, highway report.

National Transportation Safety Board Aug 31, 2009

Press Release Summary:

To be held in Washington, DC on September 1, 2009 at 9:30 am, NTSB's public board meeting will discuss the proposal of 19 recommendations regarding Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) that address various safety issues. The meeting will also concentrate on the Highway Special Investigative Report, which evaluates benefits of brake transmission shift interlock (BTSI) devices, pedal design, positive separation, and event data recorders.

Original Press Release:

Recommendations on Helicopter Emergency Medical Services and Highway Special Investigation Report Subjects of NTSB Public Meeting

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.

Directions to the NTSB Board Room: Front door located on Lower 10th Street, directly below L'Enfant Plaza. From Metro, exit L'Enfant Plaza station at 9th and D Streets escalator, walk through shopping mall, at the CVS store (on the left), and take escalator (on the right) down one level. The Board room will be to your left.

NTSB Public Affairs contact: 202-314-6100