Protect Aviation Passengers From Unsafe Helicopters

Target: John Thune, U.S. Senate Majority Leader

Goal: Implement critical safety requirements for helicopters.

The deadly collision of a military helicopter with a passenger plane claimed over 60 lives. The incident – combined with the crash of a medical transport plane that killed six and the search for a missing plane in Alaska – have brought intense scrutiny to America’s air safety protocols. All three incidents are being investigated, and particular attention has focused on the helicopter involved in the DC collision.

The investigation into this incident has revealed that the helicopter may have been flying well above its designated zone. Reports also indicate that an advanced surveillance system was allegedly cut off during the helicopter’s flight. To make matters worse, most helicopters are not even required to have these types of safety features that are mandated on planes.

The National Transportation Safety Board has previously called for laws to address these loopholes, but efforts to make these guidelines law have ultimately failed in Congress. Sign the petition below to demand legislators revive aviation safety standards that could prevent the next air-based tragedy.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Senator Thune,

Over one-third of near-miss air collisions in the DC area have involved helicopters. Despite the dangers that these air vehicles pose, they are not required to possess key features often mandated on other aircraft, such as flight data recorders, cockpit voice recorders, and terrain awareness and warning systems. Bills proposing mandatory inclusion of these life-saving tools – many recommended by the National Transportation Safety Board – have been introduced in the Senate, most recently following the helicopter-related death of basketball star Kobe Bryant. Each of these efforts have died in the halls of Congress, and as a consequence Americans have died.

While the military helicopter involved in the DC crash did have an advanced surveillance system, it was reportedly turned off. This tragedy demonstrates in the worst possible way the urgent need for stronger safety protocols for helicopters. Please revive the Helicopter Safety Act and give it the vote of confidence needed to make a real difference.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo Credit: Petty Officer 1st Class Brandon Giles