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.
The proposed regulations would not impact major airlines, which already adhere to stringent safety protocols. The NTSB emphasized that historically, airlines have maintained lower accident rates compared to charter operations.
The NTSB's recommendations include requiring certificated flight dispatchers for air tours and other specified commercial aviation services. The agency identified 12 accidents resulting in 45 fatalities where deficiencies in flight dispatch operations were observed due to the lack of specific standards for personnel performing these duties.
Furthermore, the NTSB identified four accidents and 11 deaths involving small planes that were not loaded in a safe manner. To address this issue, the board suggested expanding existing regulations on weight and balance documentation to encompass single-engine planes.
In addition to these recommendations, the NTSB reiterated a previous suggestion that non-scheduled commercial aircraft should be equipped with data collection systems to monitor pilot adherence to proper procedures.
In response to the NTSB's recommendations, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated that it takes these suggestions seriously and will provide a response within an appropriate timeframe. The FAA's commitment to enhancing aviation safety aligns with the NTSB's efforts to mitigate risks and improve operational standards in the industry.
