Gulf Coast Safety Advisory Issued

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in response to a number of oil platform helicopter accidents over the past several years recommends that the Federal Aviation Administration require that 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 large enough to accommodate all occupants. It also suggested that all offshore helicopter operators operating there 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.