Air Medical

The year 2008 saw a higher death toll of air medical crews and patients than any other year in history. As a result, the NTSB has been investigating these occurrences to find a common denominator, and it recently held hearings to address the issues facing the industry. The organizations present included the International Flight Paramedics Association (IAFP), Air & Surface Transport Nurses Association (ASTNA), the Commission of Accreditation of Medical Transport Services (CAMTS), the National EMS Pilots Association (NEMSPA) to name but a few. Also present were several representatives from the FAA and the NTSB to address the commonalities, which always seem to involve Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT), 49% of these in night weather, and some form of deteriorating weather (most often inadvertent IMC)...