Alaska Part 135 Flight Operations – Charting a Safer Course

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Please note that all times are in AKDT.

Date: September 6, 2019
Time: 0830-1600 AKDT
Location: Wendy Williamson Auditorium, University of Alaska, Anchorage, AK

 


Watch the webcast on the NTSB YouTube channel.


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The NTSB continues to investigate multiple accidents involving Part 135 flight operations in Alaska each year. Since 2008, we have investigated 182 accidents involving fixed-wing scheduled/non-scheduled Part 135 operations in Alaska, resulting in 74 fatalities. Unique terrain conditions, challenging weather, and congested airspace are factors, but the NTSB believes many of these accidents could have been avoided if operators had implemented safety management systems (SMS), installed flight data monitoring (FDM) devices, and ensured pilots received comprehensive controlled-flight into terrain (CFIT) avoidance training—all the subject of recommendations we have issued in the last few decades.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) does not require Part 135 flight operators to meet the same safety requirements as airlines. If the FAA and industry do not address these safety gaps, we will undoubtedly see more accidents involving the traveling public in Alaska.

Improve the Safety of Part 135 Flight Operations” is an issue on the NTSB 2019–2020 Most Wanted List of transportation safety improvements. That’s why we are convening a panel of Part 135 operators, safety experts, and government officials to discuss what we can do to address Part 135 safety issues.

This public meeting will also be webcast. On the day of the event, you can access the webcast at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mnDetnPgVI

Schedule:

0830–0840 Welcome / Introduction - Robert Sumwalt and Kerry Long
0840–0900 Alaska Accident Statistics and Areas of Concern - Dana Schulze - presentation
0900–1000 PANEL 1: Training Solutions
1000–1015 Break
1015–1115 PANEL 2: Risk Management Solutions
1115–1130 Audience Q&A
1130–1300 Lunch
1300–1400 PANEL 3: Technology Solutions
1400–1415 Break
1415–1515 PANEL 4: Infrastructure Solutions
1515–1530 Audience Q&A
1530–1600 Final Thoughts

 

Question(s) for the panelists?
You can submit a question to members of the roundtable panel or the Chairman by emailing [email protected]. We will address them as time permits.


PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS
Air Methods
Alaska Air Carriers Association
Alaska Airlines
Alaskan Aviation Safety Foundation
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
Federal Aviation Administration
General Aviation Manufacturers Association
Garmin International
GHS Aviation Group
Grant Aviation
National Air Traffic Controllers Association
National Transportation Safety Board
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Ravn Alaska
Tanana Chiefs Conference
The Mitre Corporation
Temsco Helicopters
U.S. Postal Service
University of Alaska
Warbelow’s Air
Wings Airways


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