Safety
NTSB blames Part 91 for deadly EMS helo crashes
On January 25 the NTSB Office of Aviation Safety presented a special investigation report on EMS and helicopter EMS (HEMS) operations, attributing a number

On January 25 the NTSB Office of Aviation Safety presented a special investigation report on EMS and helicopter EMS (HEMS) operations, attributing a number of EMS accidents to the safety deficiencies allegedly inherent in the less stringent Part 91 rules, which are in place when no patients or organs are on board. The agency invested 3,500 man hours investigating the 55 most recent accidents, 35 of which occurred without patients aboard.

The Board recommended that the FAA require all EMS operators to comply with Part 135 during flights with medical personnel on board, regardless of whether the flight is carrying passengers, patients or organs. The NTSB said that the medical personnel make “minimal contribution” to flight, so Part 91 is not justified.

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