NTSB Recommending Overwater Safety Devices for Some Helicopters

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is recommending that the FAA require all existing and new turbine-powered helicopters operating in the Gulf of Mexico and certificated with five or more seats be equipped with externally mounted life rafts that are large enough to accommodate all occupants.

The recommendation (A-07-87) would also require that all offshore helicopter operators in the Gulf of Mexico provide their flight crews with personal flotation devices equipped with a waterproof, global-positioning-system-enabled 406 megahertz personal locator beacon, as well as one other signaling device, such as a signaling mirror or a strobe light (A-07-88).

The Board's complete recommendation letter is available at http://www.ntsb.gov/recs/letters/2007/.  10-23-2007.

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