Medevac industry opposing upgrades wanted by NTSB

Source: USA Today

The helicopter air ambulance industry is opposing several key safety upgrades sought by federal accident investigators even as a recent surge in crashes has killed 19 people since September.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is calling on regulators to require new lifesaving technologies on many air ambulances, including night-vision goggles, terrain avoidance computers and autopilot controls. The devices are costly, but the NTSB says they would save lives in a health care system increasingly reliant on choppers for transporting critically ill patients.

Industry groups such as the Air Medical Operators Association say their members should have the freedom to adopt some, but not all, of the technologies. The group, which represents companies operating more than 90% of medevac helicopters, has pushed its members to make voluntary safety improvements.

Amid the recent spate of deaths, the NTSB says the voluntary approach is not working. "While some operators have voluntarily adopted measures to address our safety recommendations, others have not," NTSB Chairwoman Debbie Hersman said.


Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-08-19-1Amedivac19_ST_N.htm

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IMHO if you fly - then you need to follow what NTSB says. I'm sick of these industries fighting safety rules under government shouldn't force private industry crap.

I haven't seen data lately, but the air ambulance business was extremely dangerous about 10 years ago, well above any other helicopter based business. If I recall correctly it was even worse that crop dusting, which wasn't exactly a paragon of safety either. I suspect they could use some "enforced safety provisions" unless things have changed significantly.

And funded by the collective output of our nation! Not greedy profit machines who squeeze out a few extra pennies by denying care or compromising safety!

private sector.

This includes regular ambulance service, not just Medivac.

:sarcasm:

Actually you're very correct. As long as this business is motivated by profit they'll force pilots to fly in dangerous weather and cut corners with equipment.