Vol 7- Issue 1
Highlighting NTSB Advocacy in Action (January-April 2021)
The Big Stories
Meet Our New Most Wanted List of Safety Improvements! 
The NTSB adopted its 2021–2022 Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements on April 6, kicking off a new cycle of advocacy efforts. The MWL highlights transportation safety improvements needed now to prevent accidents, reduce injuries, and save lives. Read more about our new MWL.
Aviation Safety
Aviation MWL Safety Improvements Needed
Our 2021–2022 Most Wanted List features two aviation safety improvements regarding safety management systems and recorders.
Board Meeting: Ketchikan, AK, Midair Collision
On April 20, aviation safety investigators presented the Board with their findings related to the fatal May 13, 2019, midair collision between a float-equipped de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver, operated by Mountain Air Service and a float-equipped de Havilland DHC-3 Otter, operated by Taquan Air, in Ketchikan, Alaska. The collision resulted in six deaths and 10 injuries. The planes were operating as on-demand sightseeing flights under 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 135. Read more about the cause of the midair collision.
Board Meeting: Part 91 Revenue Passenger-Carrying Ops
On March 23, aviation investigators presented the Board with findings and recommendations related to enhancing the safety of revenue passenger-carrying operations conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, such as sightseeing flights conducted in hot air balloons, helicopters, and other aircraft, as well as parachute jump flights. These operations carry thousands of passengers for compensation each year, but aviation investigators found that they are not held to the same maintenance, airworthiness, and operational standards as other commercial passenger-carrying operations. Read more about our recommendations on revenue passenger-carrying ops.
Board Meeting: Rapid Descent into Terrain, Island Express Helicopters Inc. Sikorsky S-76B, N72EX
On February 9, aviation investigators presented the Board with findings related to the fatal, Jan. 26, 2020, crash of a Sikorsky S-76B helicopter in Calabasas, California. The pilot and eight passengers died when the helicopter, operated by Island Express Helicopters, Inc., entered a rapidly descending left turn and crashed into terrain. Read more about the cause of the Calabasas crash.
Addressing Risk Management - Liability & Safety in Aviation
Vice Chairman Bruce Landsberg and Board Member Jennifer Homendy met with aviation lawyers and airline industry representatives in February and March to discuss our aviation safety priorities, investigative processes, and the intersection between liability and safety (risk management). Read more about the Board Member presentations.
A Message to Air Medical Transport Customers
Board Member Jennifer Homendy appealed to emergency response professionals to carefully select air medical helicopter operators they may hire in a February article of the International Fire Chiefs Association’s magazine. She provided tips on how to identify qualified operators, saying, “there are things you, the emergency responder, can do to ensure a safer flight and improve the overall safety of air medical transports,” and described a medical air transport accident in Ohio in which weather and pressure to fly resulted in a tragedy. Read more about Homendy's article to EMS.
Highway Safety
Highway MWL Safety Improvements Needed
The 10-item 2021–2022 Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements (MWL) features five highway safety improvements that focus on speeding, vulnerable road users, impairment, collision-avoidance and connected-vehicle technologies, and distraction. Read more about our highway safety items.
Prelim 2020 Crash Data Underscores Need for MWL Highway Safety Improvements
Despite the pandemic keeping more people at home, two significant preliminary highway traffic data reports show crash rates were up significantly in 2020. Read more about what these two new data reports said.
Keeping Our Focus on Distraction
The NTSB’s April 6 Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements launch coincided with the beginning of National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and the new list featured distracted driving as a critical safety improvement area. Read more about what we did during distraction awareness month.
Safety Improvements Needed for School Bus Operations
Continuing his nearly year-long advocacy for school bus safety improvements, Board Member Michael Graham addressed attendees of the Florida Association of Pupil Transportation (FAPT) conference in January about the importance of ensuring bus drivers are medically fit for duty and equipping buses with collision-avoidance technology and seat belts. These three topics were on our 2019–2020 Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements. Read more about Member Graham's presentation and school bus safety efforts.
NTSB at Lifesavers Highway Safety Conference
Board Member Thomas Chapman, highway safety investigators, and safety advocates attended and presented at this year’s Lifesavers Conference of Highway Safety Priorities, April 26–28. Lifesavers is the world’s largest gathering of leaders and advocates in traffic safety, providing the latest research, best practices, cutting-edge initiatives, and innovative technology in highway safety. Read more about what we said at Lifesavers.
Highway Users Virtual Safety Technology Showcase
Safety Advocacy Chief Nicholas Worrell joined vehicle safety technology experts and legislators on April 29 for the Highway Users Virtual Safety Technology Showcase, sponsored by the American Highway Users Alliance. The event highlighted some of the latest and most innovative safety products and developments from Bosch and the Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety, and examined how highway user members were working to drive down fatalities and serious injuries on our roadways. Read more about Worrell's presentation.
Electric Powered School Buses - Safety Considerations
In a National Association of Pupil Transportation (NAPT) webinar on April 6, Mike Martin, Executive Director of NAPT, sat down with NTSB’s Thomas Barth, highway safety (survival factors) investigator, to discuss our safety report documenting the findings of an investigation into four electric vehicle (EV) fires involving high-voltage, lithium-ion batteries and how they relate to school buses. Read more about Barth's presentation and our video on the topic.
Illustrated Digest: Pedestrian Bridge Collapse, Miami, Florida
On March 15, 2018, a partially constructed pedestrian bridge collapsed at Florida International University (FIU) in Miami, killing six and injuring 10 others. In February, we released a 16-page illustrated digest summarizing the critical events and decisions that led to the collapse. Read more about our new digest.
Marine Safety
Passenger, Fishing Vessel MWL Safety Improvements Needed
Our 2021–2022 Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements features one marine safety improvement focused on passenger and fishing vessel safety. This topic was brought to the forefront after an increasing number of marine accidents, some high-profile, involving fire and vessel stability issues. You can read the many related accident reports on our marine investigations web page and in our latest Safer Seas Digest.  Read more about our new marine safety item.
Lessons for Passenger Vessels, Tugs, Towboats & Barges
Office of Marine Safety Director Morgan Turrell was invited to present at two key marine industry organization events in February and March to discuss lessons learned from our investigations. Read more about what Turrell said about marine safety.
Advocating SMS on Domestic Passenger Vessels
On April 1, we commented on the US Coast Guard’s (USCG’s) advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) titled “Safety Management Systems [SMSs] for Domestic Passenger Vessels,” published at 86 Federal Register 3899 on January 15, 2021. Read more about what we said in our comments on the ANPRM.
Rail, Pipeline & Hazmat Safety
Rail, Pipeline MWL Safety Improvements Needed
Our 2021–2022 Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements includes safety improvements to both rail and pipeline transportation. Accidents that injure and kill rail workers and that result in pipeline leaks are often preventable. Read more about our rail and pipeline safety items.
Board Meeting: Atmos Energy Natural Gas-Fueled Explosion
On January 12, the Board deliberated the findings by Rail, Pipeline, and Hazardous Materials investigators from their investigation into the February 23, 2018, natural gas explosion in a Dallas, Texas, home. One person died and four others were injured in the explosion, which caused major structural damage to the one-story residence. Read more to find out the cause of this accident.
New England Pipeline Safety Reps Pipeline Safety Seminar
On April 28, Pipeline Safety Investigator Sara Lyons shared lessons learned from pipeline accident investigations with pipeline safety representatives at the New England Pipeline Safety Representatives Virtual Pipeline Safety Seminar. Read more about what Lyons told pipeline reps.
International Advocacy
Professionalism & Safety Culture: Tips for Asian Aviation Ops
Chairman Robert Sumwalt discussed the importance of professionalism and safety culture in aviation operations in two separate presentations to the Asian Business Aviation Association (AsBAA). Read more to find out what the Chairman told the Asian aviation professionals.
Keynote to IRF Asia Pacific Highway Professionals
Safety Advocacy Chief Nicholas Worrell delivered the keynote address to the International Road Federation’s (IRF’s) Asia-Pacific Regional Virtual Congress. Worrell told highway traffic safety professionals in the Asia-Pacific region that road safety had become “the forgotten pandemic” as roadway deaths continue to be a public health problem worldwide. Read more about Worrell's presentation to international road safety pros.
Youth and Teen Outreach
Advocacy & MWL Chat with University Students
Safety Advocacy staff promoted the work of our investigators and discussed our current Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements campaigns with about 50 aviation and public health university students in virtual discussions in April. Read more about our presentations to students.
Legislative Activities
CT: Testimony on Seat Belts, ADS-Equipped Vehicles
On, March 3, Board Member Jennifer Homendy testified before the Connecticut General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Transportation regarding House Bill 6484, An Act Concerning Recommendations by the Department of Transportation. She discussed our recommendations asking states to require seat belt use in all seating positions in all vehicles equipped with seat belts. She also provided a statement on House Bill 6486, An Act Concerning Automated Driving System [ADS] Equipped Vehicles. Although the bill sets forth a broad framework for establishing an ADS-equipped vehicle pilot testing program, she said it was “vitally important” that more specific safeguards be established, and that the state ensures any autonomous vehicle tester demonstrates it has a robust safety management program in place before beginning any testing.
HI: Testimony on Impairment
On February 9, we submitted written testimony to Hawaii’s Senate Transportation Committee supporting SB 754, a bill to lower the legal blood alcohol content level for drivers from 0.08 to 0.05 percent. On March 22, we submitted a similar written statement to the House Judiciary Committee.
MD: Statement on Pedestrian Safety, Motorcycle Helmets
On January 25, we submitted a written statement discussing our pedestrian safety study to the Maryland House Appropriations Committee regarding HB 478, a school zone pedestrian safety bill. Also, on March 16, we submitted a written statement to the Senate Education, Health and Environment Committee on HB 487, the School Pedestrian Safety Act. On February 19, we submitted a written statement to the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee opposing SB 712, a motorcycle helmet repeal. 
ND, WY: Testimony on Primary Enforcement
On January 15, we submitted written testimony to the North Dakota Senate Transportation Committee supporting SB 2121, which called for primary enforcement of seat belts. Also, on January 21, Safety Advocate Stephanie Shaw testified before Wyoming’s Senate Transportation Committee on Senate File‑11, urging the state to enact legislation mandating primary enforcement of seat belts. On March 16, we submitted a written statement to the North Dakota House Transportation Committee supporting SB 2121, primary enforcement.
Select NTSB Reports, Alerts & Studies
Aviation Accident Report: Ketchikan, AK, Midair Collision (MWL: Part 135/SMS)
Aviation Accident Report: Fatal Crash of Historic B-17 Airplane, Windsor Locks, CT (MWL: Part 135/SMS)
Pipeline Accident Report: Atmos Energy Corporation Natural Gas-Fueled Explosion (MWL issue: HAZMAT)
MWL Progress Report - Hits & Misses
Note: This MWL Progress Report is the final update for the safety items featured in the 2019-2020 MWL.
Upcoming Events
June
1-30
Deadliest Days of Summer
All month long, the NTSB will be focusing on events/activities to improve highway safety during the summer--especially regarding impairment.
June
29
The Board will meet to determine the probable cause for the 2019 sinking of the fishing vessel Scandies Rose.
August
1-31
National Back to School Campaign
All month long, the NTSB will be focusing on roadway safety for youth and school bus operators in preparation for going back to school. 
September
8-10
Board Member Michael Graham will be giving the keynote at this meeting of large commercial private truck carriers. 
September
11-15
NTSB Board Members and staff will attend and present at this largest meeting of state and territorial highway safety offices.
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We look forward to continuing to work with you to prevent accidents and save lives.