A recent report has highlighted the FAA’s delays in meeting HEMS-related requirements specified by the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012. Mike Reyno Photo
The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) could be doing more to improve the safety of helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) operations, according to a new audit report.
Issued on April 8, the Office of Inspector General audit report criticizes the FAA for failing to meet several congressionally mandated requirements related to HEMS safety. It also identifies issues with the FAA’s oversight of HEMS operators, particularly smaller operators with 24 or fewer helicopters.
The audit — which was requested by the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Aviation — was conducted between November 2013 and February 2015. Auditors interviewed FAA headquarters personnel and field inspectors; managers and pilots from nine HEMS operators; and representatives of five different industry groups, among others.
The resulting report highlights FAA delays in meeting HEMS-related requirements specified by the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012. Not only was the FAA nearly two years late in issuing a final rule for HEMS operations, it has failed to meet three requirements related to the collection of HEMS operational flight data. “As a result, FAA cannot assess whether the accident rate is increasing or decreasing each year, develop HEMS-specific accident reduction efforts, or determine if its previous safety efforts have been successful,” the report states.
The document also notes that the FAA uses “distinctly different surveillance processes” for large and small HEMS operators, “even though these operators face nearly identical operating environments and risks.” According to the report, the FAA uses a “less robust and collaborative risk assessment process to oversee smaller operators,” and inspectors assigned to those operators often have less helicopter experience. In general, the report notes, FAA inspector qualification standards that require experience with single- and multi-engine airplanes have left shortages of helicopter inspectors, in addition to widespread inspector vacancies.
The report makes five recommendations to the FAA, three of which relate to ensuring that the agency has adequate numbers of properly trained inspectors. The report also recommends that the FAA extend dedicated certificate management teams and a specialized risk assessment tool to HEMS operators with 20 to 24 aircraft. It further recommends that the FAA develop specific accident reduction goals for the HEMS industry, arguing that the agency’s focus on “broad-based general aviation goals” may be causing it to overlook “key risks expressly associated with HEMS operations.”
In a statement issued in response to the report, the FAA said it agrees with most of the Inspector General’s recommendations, although it also emphasized its “landmark” helicopter safety rule that takes effect this month, which the agency described as “the most significant improvement to helicopter safety in decades.” That rule contains specific requirements for HEMS operators, as well as requirements affecting other types of helicopter operators.
“While the helicopter rule is a significant step forward, we’re also developing a rule to further address pilot training enhancements and other issues,” the statement continued. “The FAA is transitioning to a risk-based oversight system for helicopter air ambulance operators so we can better target resources. Our Safety Assurance System (SAS) is the best way for us to allocate inspector resources and we’re evaluating those resources now. We’re also working with industry on a system for the FAA to collect and analyze operating data.”
With respect to developing specific safety goals for HEMS operations, however, the FAA said it has “already reviewed helicopter-specific accident reduction goals and has determined that the root causes of helicopter air ambulance accidents apply to a broader spectrum of the helicopter community.”
The audit report asks the FAA to reconsider its response to this recommendation.
“HEMS flights are unique from other commercial operations in that the urgency of patient transport often creates pressures to conduct these operations quickly in various environmental conditions, such as in inclement weather, at night, or at unfamiliar landing sites,” the report states. “Further, HEMS accidents continue to occur at a troubling rate, as evidenced by two recent fatal accidents. Therefore, we continue to believe that FAA emphasis on the specific risks associated with HEMS operations is warranted.”
To read the full report, click here.
