Study Spotlights Helicopter Dangers

WASHINGTON -- Emergency medical helicopter pilots had the most dangerous jobs in the U.S., racking up fatalities at a faster clip than loggers and other historically risky professions, according to a new study presented to federal air-crash investigators.

In addition to sobering statistics about the hazards of such medical chopper flights for patients as well as pilots, testimony at a National Transportation Safety Board hearing Tuesday illustrated the drawbacks of relying on voluntary industry efforts to improve safety.

Comparing 13 medical helicopter crashes that claimed 29 lives in 2008 with federal fatality rates for many other accident-prone professions, Dr. Ira Blumen, of the University of Chicago Hospitals, concluded that statistically the pilots "far exceed any of the high-risk occupations."

At least 180 people have been killed or seriously injured in U.S. medical helicopter crashes over past decade, with 2008 ending up as the most deadly year ever. Against this backdrop, the safety board is prodding regulators to require helicopter operators to install devices that can warn pilots of impending collisions with the ground, as well as digital flight-data recorders that are better able to record what occurred in the event of a crash.

During the first of four days of hearings this week, the safety board also began examining how powerful economic forces -- ranging from consolidation to how much the government will reimburse operators -- affect safety margins.

Almost half of the world's roughly 26,000 choppers fly in the U.S. One industry representative testified that it's time for operators to become more aggressive in pursuing safety goals and embracing federal mandates.

"We have to, in essence, change the way we do business," said Matthew Zuccaro, president of Helicopter Association International. He said helicopter operators must pay more attention to flight planning, adverse weather hazards and ways to retrofit the existing fleet with advanced safety equipment.

At the same time, the Federal Aviation Administration released updated figures about the results of its years-long campaign to promote voluntary industry compliance.

An FAA spokesman told reporters that so far roughly 40% of U.S. helicopters have been voluntary outfitted with collision-avoidance systems, and only about 11% have recorders. Testimony by a Canadian helicopter official offered a stark contrast to the U.S. experience.

Sylvain Seguin, vice president of Canadian Helicopters, the largest medical chopper organization in Canada, described extensive safety programs that have allowed Canada to avoid a single fatality in this segment since the 1970s. Mr. Seguin emphasized that Canadian medical choppers have two-pilot crews as opposed to many single-pilot flights in the U.S. Funded and regulated strictly by government, the craft are equipped with the latest safety devices. They are required to adhere to strict instrument-flight rules and safeguards in all cases.

Write to Andy Pasztor at andy.pasztor@wsj.com