General aviation on NTSB Most Wanted List again
November 20, 2012, 01:02 pm
The National Transportation Safety Board again listed general aviation on its 10 Most Wanted List of Safety Improvements, even while he organization claims the safety rate has been improving,
Over the past 10 years the accident rate has averaged 6.8 per every 100,000 flight hours and has stayed relatively steady during that time. However, NTSB officials warn that personal flying accidents have increased 20 percent while fatal incidents have gone up 25 percent. The NTSB investigates approximately 1,500 GA accidents each year.
Some organizations are not denying the numbers but have said that safety programs are increasing awareness within the general aviation community. Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association officials pointed out that over the past decade, general aviation fatalities have decreased from 596 in 2011 to 444 this year. In addition, Bruce Landsburg, president of the AOPA Air Safety Foundation and Air Safety Institute, said that the AOPA reached 1.9 million people last year with training and has worked closely with the NTSB to ensure aviation safety and government requirements.
“Everyone agrees that safety is a never-ending priority,” said Sean Elliott, vice president of advocacy and safety. “That is why EAA has been so active with other organizations, type clubs pilot groups, manufacturers and government agencies. We maintain that education is a far better way to improve safety than regulation.”
The NTSB listed general aviation on its Top 10 Most Wanted List of Safety Improvements at the Experimental Aircraft Association's AirVenture Oshkosh at the Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in July.
The NTSB has increased efforts to advocate for safety within the general aviation community. At the event last year, safety for general aviation was prioritized as the NTSB's Most Wanted List of Safety Improvements.
Earlier this year, the NTSB released its first study on experimental amateur-built aircraft, and more recently it held two forums for the safety of general aviation.
"In Oshkosh, we'll have tremendous opportunities to share lessons learned from our investigations with an enthusiastic aviation community," said NTSB Chairman Deborah Hersman before the event. "In particular, we're [looking] forward to interacting with experimental aircraft builders to relay the findings and recommendations from our E-AB safety study."
Pilots in the general aviation community should always make sure their family and personal finances are secure with pilot life insurance in the unlikely event of an emergency.
Are you covered? Are you overpaying? Find out! Get a Quote Now!
| 
