NTSB Recommends Enhanced Safety Measures for Part 135 Operators Following Investigation
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has called for significant safety improvements in Part 135 operations following a special investigation that examined over 500 accidents, including 116 fatal and 460 nonfatal incidents, involving commuter air carriers, air tour operators, and other on-demand charters. The investigation, which spanned from 2010 to 2022, highlighted critical vulnerabilities in dispatch, load manifests, data collection, and flight data monitoring.
In its comprehensive safety report, the NTSB has issued several key recommendations aimed at reducing the higher accident rates associated with Part 135 operations compared to Part 121. Notably, the NTSB urges the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to mandate the use of certified flight dispatchers, expand load manifest requirements to include single-pilot operations, enhance data collection techniques, and implement mandatory flight data monitoring programs.
These proposed changes come in response to identified risks, such as unsafe loading conditions and insufficient operational controls, which have led to numerous accidents and fatalities. For instance, the report pointed out several accidents where the lack of certificated dispatchers contributed to operational deficiencies, resulting in 45 fatalities and 13 serious injuries. The NTSB recommends that Part 135 operators, except those with single pilots or single pilot-in-command, employ certified dispatchers who would share responsibility with the pilot-in-command for the safety and operational control of flights.
Additionally, the NTSB highlighted issues with weight and balance in single-engine aircraft under Part 135, suggesting persistent systemic operational pressures or deficiencies. To address this, the board recommended requiring load manifests and record-keeping for single-engine aircraft, which would aid pilots in detecting and correcting unsafe loading conditions and assist operators and FAA inspectors in conducting thorough risk assessments.
The investigation also reinforced the need for establishing flight data monitoring programs and the installation of recording devices to support these programs. Despite previous recommendations made in 2016 for such safety measures, the NTSB reiterated the importance of these programs in enhancing safety management systems (SMS).
Furthermore, the NTSB expressed concerns over the adequacy of current data collection and reporting methods. The existing data, according to the agency, does not sufficiently support a comprehensive assessment of Part 135 industry safety. As a solution, the NTSB recommended that the FAA develop a unified method for generating activity data that clearly identifies the activity of the operator, the operating authority, and the scope of operations.
These recommendations aim to close the safety gap for segments of Part 135 operations by implementing targeted solutions that address unique risks without hindering the operators’ ability to provide services. The NTSB’s findings and recommendations are crucial steps towards enhancing the safety standards and operational oversight of Part 135 operations, reflecting a proactive approach to mitigating risks in the aviation sector.
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ainonline.com