NTSB Board Meeting: To Determine the Probable Cause of Airbus AS350 helicopter crash East River, NYC 

If a passenger is ever required to wear a "specialized" harness that requires them to disconnect in an emergency it should be mandatory that the passenger wear it and perform the action of releasing it at least once. This training should be performed prior to the passengers boarding when they view the video and only using the same rigging and harness as used in the aircraft. You cannot possibly depend on an untrained individual to cut though re-enforced webbing or perform complex (multi-part) tasks as an escape method in a time critical emergency. Totally unacceptable safety.

I would like to commend the work by the NTSB investigating this accident. However I find the NTSB could have added an important amendment that clarifies Part 91 operation rules governing safety systems required for safe flight procedures where any flight, requires a device, supplemental restraint or fall arrest for a non-commercial flight. Any flight that has aboard, non-essential individuals not necessary to operate the aircraft in a safe manner, should be classified as a passenger, regardless of their defined status, be it as a revenue or private non-charter flight passenger. Any restraint or fall arrest device should require certification in their use during commercial revenue service, in the same manner as OSHA training and certification does in other workplace environments, regardless of how a non-essential individuals are defined. Non-commercial Part 91 flights should not require supplemental non-certified restraint or fall arrest devices, regardless if the aircraft operates with or without doors, if the aircraft is certified and be safely operated in either configuration, as part of the original flight certification process or as part of a FAA approved Supplemental Flight Certificate (STC). The NTSB could have identified all categories of commercial flight operations exceptions into a category known as Special Air Operations. This would accommodate different commercial uses of any aircraft where the original intended use is not defined. For example, process aerial photography, aerial serviced infrastructure industries including oil & gas pipelines, hydro-electric grid network inspection & repair, air-sea rescue, parachuting, aerial firefighting, heli-logging and mountain avalanche management. In doing so, this would eliminate the loopholes discovered during this investigation, specifically relating to how current Part 91 amateur photography flights intentionally avoid CFR 14 / Part 135 regulations. Based on the finding published by this NTSB, there is sufficient evidence that the operator of photography flights, as illustrated in this particular case, knowingly operated under Part 91 to save money and avoid regulatory oversight, as required under Part 135 or Part 121 for commercial aircraft operations. While not specifically mentioned in the NTSB report, there does appear to be a very limited review of past accidents involving aviation fall restraint and fall arrest systems by the FAA and whether the FAA has certified fall restraint and fall arrest staff. It is clear, this accident could have been avoided.

how is the NYONair CEO not in jail? Seriously what he did was criminal

Like many disasters this one was a chain of stupidity and misfortune: very low altitude, loose straps catching on critical exposed control mechanism, incorrect egress procedure in pre-flight briefing, pilot failed to tell passengers (apparently) to cut/disconnect the lanyards as soon as water ditching was likely, floatation system lever that took too much force, and a floatation system that had no way for the pilot to notice that it was only half deployed. And as noted by NTSB, an allegedly unscrupulous operator pretending this was a Part 91 flight so none of the safety procedures or gear were approved.

It seems to me both the FAA and the FRA keep kicking the can down the road, and the NTSB keeps picking it up and showing them the same beat-up old can. I know The NTSB can only make recommendations, but how many more people have to die? I’ve thought for a long time the NTSB needs more teeth.

This accident goes to show how inept the FAA is. To hear a board member say someone from the FAA said "Eventually, passengers are going to have to take responsibility".....really? The FAA is the "Barney Fife" of aviation. From the DC-10 cargo door and engine mount issues and their inadequate oversight of the ATR 42 and 72 to ensure continued airworthiness in icing conditions. Time and time again the NTSB has made recommendations and the FAA ignores it. The NTSB has no authority to enforce their recommendations, that needs to change.

Two hearings in two weeks, thank you for this holiday season gift

Rubbing is racing, Jennifer; not rubber.

I have watched a lot of these investigations now, and I have to say I have become a huge Member Homendy Fan boy...

2:16:10 end of potty break, meeting resumes Recommendation to the NTSB- copy and paste the above to the video description

The float emergency handle is a horrible design and it’s beyond me how it ever received FAA approval? Then again, having the engine controls on the floor near the passenger’s seat(s) is an amazingly bad idea as well. Obviously corrected in the B3 series to what it should have been like in the first place.

Watching this again I’m wondering if rapid extrication and resuscitation was attempted; following cold water immersion of uninjured patients. With timely rescue measures, the patient is not dead until they are warm and dead.

I wonder if these people realize they have an internet fan base?? I’m totally crushing on JHom…

To me, the worst thing in the world is working for a bad manager.

she really had a point. The military runs expensive simulator training on how to get out of a sinking helicopter. It's ludicrous to expect that from a random passenger if it involves more than one button. And even that is a stretch for a normal person in panic mode. Astronaut Gene Cernan descibed quite vividly how he escaped just about from a sinking helicopter. And that was a expereinced fighetr pilot and with a proper quick release harness, not some made up diy crap.

Helicopter not to scale.. LOL, you don't say!

I rather enjoy Chairman Sumwalt’s demonstrations, hopefully further meetings contain more of them.

This heli company is unbelievable. The FAA is just as bad. What does the FAA do, anyway ?

Atlas air 767?

2:23:58 finding 19 and 20 discuss an intoxicated passenger? I've now watched / listened to this entire video twice. Did I miss something or is this not addressed in the presentations or questions at all , other than a quick mention of it being one of the factors that they looked at, and it's very quick mention in findings 19/20? It kind of looked like somebody was going to bring it up but they were afraid of being accused of "victim-blaming" by another board member (who stated in the hearing a few days ago that she didn't like it)? Has political correctness invaded the NTSB Sanctum?

Awesome! Hope they get sued.

*rubber is racing* fail fail fail fail fail fail *rubbing* is racing

The NTSB has way too many people in there. NASA is the same. Makes it hard to get anything done. NASA, in fact, gets very little done.

Member Homendy is the reason the FAA does not listen to the NTSB. She is condescending and arrogant but worse off, unintelligent. How Chair Sumwalt supports her is beyond me. Staff Dana should without a doubt be in that seat. Member Homendy does not make systems safer.

First off I am truly sorry for those that lost someone on this flight. If this hearing doesn't underscore the need for a everyday regular person that has gotten the hands dirty to be on the board I don't know what does. Why didn't we have someone from the military training testify on getting out of a inverted copter? Seems like they would be the experts on what is doable from the total number of people they have trained. These hearing are just turning into a total circus, it no wonder agency's have a hard time adopting your recommendations. Make a meaningful common sense recommendation and move on. This has been a one off and I bet those harness's have saved more lives then those lost in this horrible accident.