NEED FOR LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE HELICOPTER SAFETY AND REDUCE NOISE
The Los Angeles Area Helicopter Noise Coalition has spent several years trying to get the helicopter industry to agree to voluntary measures, but no agreements have been reached. In addition, the FAA is reluctant to adopt mandatory regulations. We are convinced that it will take Congressional legislation to bring about significant improvements in helicopter safety and noise reduction.
The February, 2020, helicopter crash that resulted in the death of basketball player Kobe Bryant and eight others has led to a needed refocus on helicopter safety. Our hearts go out to the families of the victims. National Transportation Board (NTSB) records show that in recent years there have been hundreds of lives lost as a result of helicopter accidents in the United States. Many lives could have been saved by better regulations.
The NTSB has made several recommendations to improve helicopter safety which the FAA has declined to implement. In 2006, the NTSB recommended that commercial helicopters (like the one in which Kobe Bryant was killed) be equipped with Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems (TAWS). But the FAA declined to accept the recommendation. In 2007, the NTSB recommended that all commercial air tour helicopters that fly over water be equipped with fixed or inflatable floats. But the FAA declined and does not require them. In the last few years, there have been at least two accidents where helicopters sank and passengers drowned. In 2009, the NTSB recommended that the FAA require crash resistant flight data recorders on newly manufactured aircraft. Again, the FAA declined.
In 2015, the NTSB recommended that manufacturers equip new helicopters with crash resistant fuel tanks to reduce the risk of post-crash injury and death by fire. But the FAA was slow to act. It took an act of Congress, in 2018, to direct the FAA to require manufacturers to put them in newly manufactured helicopters beginning in April, 2020. This is an improvement, but it didn’t go far enough. It was recently estimated there are 10,000 helicopters currently operating in the United States and only 15% of them have crash resistant fuel tanks. The roughly 8,500 helicopters currently operating without them can continue to do so indefinitely. Some of these helicopters will crash. Some unknowing passengers will end up being killed by post-crash fires. People and property on the ground are also at risk. This loophole must be closed. The FAA should require all existing helicopters to be retrofitted with crash resistant fuel tanks.
On February 4, 2020, Senator Dianne Feinstein wrote to the FAA urging it to require all commercial helicopters operating in the United States to be equipped with Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems saying that it would be worth the cost (about $35,000) to reduce the risk to passengers and those on the ground.
NTSB CALLS FOR ENHANCED SAFETY STANDARDS IN REVENUE PASSENGER-CARRYING GENERAL AVIATION OPERATIONS. On March 23, 2021, the NTSB issued a news release renewing its call for enhanced safety standards for air tours carrying passengers for hire. Legislation is needed to direct the FAA to implement the NTSB’s recommendation.
Listed below are bills introduced in the 118th Congress (2023-2024) to improve helicopter safety and reduce noise. Please encourage your local Congressional Representatives to support these bills and introduce similar bills to address noise impacts in Los Angeles County.
HR 1071, introduced on 2/17/2023 by Ed Case. Title: Safe and Quiet Skies Act of 2023. Summary: Among other things, this bill would prohibit tour flights from operating at an altitude of less than 1,500 feet. This bill is cosponsored by local Representative Brad Sherman. (See full text)
HR 1257 introduced on 2/28/2023 by Eleanor Holmes Norton. Title: Reducing Helicopter Noise in the District of Columbia Act. Summary: This bill requires helicopters in the District of Columbia to fly at the maximum altitude permitted by the Federal Aviation Administration. (See full text)
HR 2509 introduced on 4/6/2023 by Eleanor Holmes Norton. A bill to direct the Secretary of Transportation to submit a report on helicopter noise in the District of Columbia. Summary: This bill would require the Secretary to make recommendations to reduce helicopter noise in the District of Columbia. (See full text)
HR 2585 introduced on 4/13/2023 by Ed Case. Title: Hawaii Air Tour Management Act of 2023. Summary: This bill would require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, in consultation with the Governor of Hawaii, to establish an air tour management plan for the State of Hawaii. (See full text)
