Ambulanseflyging helikopter (HEMS) - USA

FAA: Air ambulances must improve safety


Air ambulances must take more safety precautions before taking off in bad weather and upgrade their flight equipment under improved safety rules issued by the Federal Aviation Administration.

The federal agency issued the rules in the wake of numerous air ambulance crashes in recent years, including two in Tennessee and one in Kentucky. A Memphis-based air ambulance crashed in March 2010, killing the pilot and two nurses, when the pilot tried to outrun a storm. The cause of the crash of another Memphis-based air ambulance that killed three people in October 2013 is still under investigation. The Kentucky crash occurred in June 2013 during foggy weather in the parking lot of an elementary school outside Manchester, killing three crew members.

Within a year, all pilots will have to use enhanced safety procedures for flying in bad weather, at night and when landing in remote areas. Within three years, all air ambulances must upgrade their equipment.

The bad weather rule was originally scheduled to take effect this month, but on Thursday the FAA issued a notice that those safety procedures would be delayed until April 22, 2015, according to the Association of Air Medical Services, which had requested the extension.

"This is a landmark rule for helicopter safety," U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said in a press release. "These improvements will better prepare pilots and better equip helicopters, ensuring a higher level of safety for passengers and crew."

The federal agency said the new rules "could have mitigated" 62 accidents that killed 125 people between 1991 and 2010.

Officials with Vanderbilt LifeFlight welcomed the rules. The air ambulance service has made more than 40,000 flights over 30 years without an accident. It went on record in support of the new rules.

"LifeFlight applauds the move toward stronger federal regulatory oversight," said Jeanne Yeatman, administrative director of emergency services for Vanderbilt. "We strongly support anything that will enhance and promote safety."