Rethinking the Safety of Medical Helicopters

Friday, July 26, 2013 at 05:22 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Despite a spike in fatal EMS helicopter crashes in 2008, statistics show that the fatal accident rate per flight hour for EMS operations has steadily declined over 30 years and is generally safer than many other types of helicopter flying.
EMS helicopter crashes, when they occur, are often catastrophic and highly publicized due to challenging operational conditions like night flights, poor visibility, and unprepared landing sites, leading to a distorted public perception of their overall safety.
The NTSB, FAA, and the industry have responded with numerous safety improvements and proposals, including advanced cockpit technology, enhanced training, risk management programs, and initiatives to reduce pilot pressure, though some critics highlight recurring pilot errors.