A federal safety agency, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), has recommended that air tours and other commercial aircraft operators should be mandated to have certificated dispatchers to assist pilots in planning their flights. This recommendation comes after a comprehensive study of over 500 accidents, some of which resulted in fatalities.
The NTSB initiated the study in response to a series of safety concerns identified during investigations of crashes that occurred between 2010 and 2022. The agency highlighted the need for improved safety measures in the aviation industry, particularly in air tours, commuter services, air ambulances, and business jet charters.
