Expanding on its factual report on a September 2004 accident
involving a Bell 206B helicopter flying tours on the Hawaiian
island of Kauai, this week the National Transportation Safety Board
issued a new set of safety recommendations the Board states could
prevent a similar accident in the future.
According to the NTSB, the pilot and four passengers onboard the
Bali Hai Helicopter Tours helo (file photo of similar type, above)
were killed when their aircraft impacted mountainous terrain in
Kalaheo. The board states turbulent instrument meteorological
conditions were present at the time of the accident... and those
conditions likely led to spacial disorientation. The flight was
conducted under VFR flight rules.
The NTSB recommends the Federal Aviation Administration:
In
cooperation with Hawaii commercial air tour operators, aviation
psychologists, and meteorologists, among others, develop a
cue-based training program for commercial air tour pilots in Hawaii
that specifically addresses hazardous aspects of local weather
phenomena and in-flight decision-making. (A-07-18)
Once a cue-based training program that specifically addresses
hazardous aspects of local weather phenomena and weather-related,
decision-making issues is developed (as requested in Safety
Recommendation A-07-18), require all commercial air tour operators
in Hawaii to provide this training to newly hired pilots.
(A-07-19)
Establish operational practices for commercial air tour
helicopter pilots that include rest breaks and that will ensure
acceptable pilot performance and safety and require commercial air
tour helicopter operators to adhere to these practices.
(A-07-20)
Develop a permanent mechanism to provide direct surveillance of
commercial air tour operations in the State of Hawaii and to
enforce commercial air tour regulations. (A-07-21)
Direct the Honolulu Flight Standards District Office to ensure
that the annual safety meetings, as required under approved
certificates of waiver or authorization, focus on pertinent and
timely commercial air tour safety issues, including, but not
limited to, reviews of Hawaii air tour accidents, local weather
phenomena, and Special Federal Aviation Regulation 71 procedures.
(A-07-22)
Reevaluate the altitude restrictions in the State of Hawaii to
determine if they may have resulted in any unintended degradation
of safety with regard to weather-related accidents and fatalities.
(A-07-23)
Develop and enforce safety standards for all commercial air
tour operations that include, at a minimum, initial and recurrent
pilot training programs that address local geography and
meteorological hazards and special airspace restrictions;
maintenance policies and procedures; flight scheduling that fosters
adequate breaks and flight periods (as established by the
implementation of Safety Recommendation A-07-20); and operations
specifications that address management, procedures, route
specifications, and altitude restrictions, as necessary.
(A-07-24)
Accelerate the implementation of automatic dependent
surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) infrastructure in the State of
Hawaii to include high-quality ADS-B services to low-flying
aircraft along heavily traveled commercial air tour routes.
(A-07-25)
Require that Hawaii air tour operators equip tour aircraft with
compatible automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B)
technology within 1 year of the installation of a functional
National ADS-B Program infrastructure in Hawaii. (A-07-26)
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