Most Wanted List

The NTSB plays a vital role in conducting investigations into aviation accidents and making meaningful recommendations to improve safety, unfortunately it often takes years before the FAA takes notice. Just recently, the NTSB released their annual most wanted list list that identifies the transportation safety issues that will become the biggest priority in the upcoming year. Specifically, two crucial aviation safety issues are addressed on this list. Addressing the unique characteristics of helicopter operations and identifying and communicating hazardous weather in the general aviation community have become big priorities for the NTSB.

Addressing the unique characteristics of helicopter operations is an area long overdue to be on the NTSB's most wanted list. Due to the often urgent and life-saving nature of many helicopter operations, inadvertent encounters with dangerous weather and unfamiliar landscapes have led to an unacceptably high number of helicopter accidents. A staggering 1470 accidents have occurred in the last 10 years and 477 people have lost their lives.  There are many steps that can be taken to improve the safety across the board of helicopter operations.  Implementation of safety management systems that emphasize risk management and maintenance quality will help organizations identify and assess hazards.  Improving the quality of life and work environment of maintenance personnel will also help reduce the risks of accidents. All operators should have flight risk evaluation programs to help identify when an unacceptable level of risk exists for a specific operation. Additionally, specific training for off airport landscapes and inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions would serve as an improvement.

Although, without a doubt, there are several other aviation safety issues within the industry, I feel that the NTSB has accurately identified the top two concerns. Accidents involving helicopters, and general aviation accidents, occur at a much higher rate than those experienced by part 121 and 135 operators. Even though safety concerns specifically involving commercial passenger operations have the potential to result in a greater number of fatalities, the facts are that more people are dying in general aviation and helicopter accidents. In general aviation, an accident rate of 6.51 per 100,000 flight hours is nearly 30 times that of part 121 operators. Many of these accidents are occurring as a result of unintentional flight into IMC.  Improving in standardizing the way that weather information is disseminated amongst general aviation pilots will considerably improve safety. Many aircraft are equipped with some type of on board weather capability, however there is such a wide range of capabilities that standardization is needed. Additionally, the weather information available to air traffic controllers must be improved and training increased so that they can assist in helping pilots determine when hazardous weather conditions exist during the flight. These two issues are rightfully on the list because they are amongst the leading causes of fatality in the aviation industry.

The aviation industry is ever evolving and many new jobs are being created as a result. Each of the two safety issues discussed as part have the potential to lead to job creation in the future. A large opportunity exists to train helicopter pilots so that they are more comfortable in marginal weather and more prepared to land in unfamiliar areas. Additionally, a large number of consultants will be needed to create and implement safety management systems for many of the helicopter operators. Regarding general aviation weather concerns, career opportunities will exist in the development of in-flight weather technologies that are user-friendly, up-to-date, and widely available. Advocates will be needed to promote the acceptance of these new technologies within the general aviation industry. Experts will also be needed to train air traffic controllers.

The NTSB identified two major safety concerns within the aviation industry. Although, several other aviation concerns exist, we must continue to make small and concentrated safety improvements in order for long-term benefits to result.