NTSB Reviews Medevac Safety Proposals

JOAN LOWY
Associated Press Writer


WASHINGTON – Federal safety officials are weighing recommendations aimed at preventing emergency medical helicopters from taking lives instead of saving them.

The National Transportation Safety Board is meeting Tuesday to vote on 19 proposals to make the transport of patients, medical crews and donated organs safer.

The board has spent a year investigating the safety of what is known as the air ambulance industry. This was prompted by a spate of nine helicopter crashes between December 2007 and October 2008 that claimed 35 lives.

The recommendations include better pilot training and the use of night vision imaging systems.

A more thorough collection and analysis of flight, weather and safety data also is recommended.

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