MARYLAND STATE POLICE RESPONSE TO NTSB HEARING INTO THE CRASH OF TROOPER 2

Maryland State Police Aviation Command officials, including Major A.J. McAndrew, attended the National Transportation Safety Board meeting today in which issues that may have contributed to the crash of Trooper 2 on September 27, 2008, were discussed. The Maryland State Police Aviation Command has cooperated fully with the NTSB during their investigation of this crash. The Maryland State Police understands today¡¦s hearing dealt with probable issues contributing to the crash and a final probable cause report has not been issued.

Prior to today's meeting, the Board made several safety recommendations. The Aviation Command values and concurs with the Board¡¦s past safety recommendations. In fact and although not mandated to, the Aviation Command has already implemented many of the Board¡¦s recommendations and is in the process of implementing the remaining recommendations. Safety is the Aviation Command¡¦s top priority.

The NTSB recommendations include:

Require all emergency medical services operators to comply with 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 operations specifications during the conduct of all flights with medical personnel on board. (A-06-12)

The Aviation Command has already applied for and is in the process of obtaining Part 135 certification.

Require all emergency medical services (EMS) operators to develop and implement flight risk evaluation programs that include training all employees involved in the operation, procedures that support the systematic evaluation of flight risks, and consultation with others trained in EMS flight operations if the risks reach a predefined level. (A-06-13)

The Aviation Command has developed and utilizes a computer based flight risk evaluation program that includes procedures that support the systematic evaluation of flight risks, and consultation with others trained in EMS flight operations if the risks reach a predefined level.

Require emergency medical services operators to use formalized dispatch and flight-following procedures that include up-to-date weather information and assistance in flight risk assessment decisions. (A-06-14)

SYSCOM (Systems Communications Center) serves as the Aviation Command¡¦s formalized dispatch and flight-following center. All Maryland State Police duty officers assigned to SYSCOM have been certified as certified flight communicators.

Require emergency medical services (EMS) operators to install terrain awareness and warning systems on their aircraft and to provide adequate training to ensure that flight crews are capable of using the systems to safely conduct EMS operations. (A-06-15)

Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley and members of Maryland¡¦s General Assembly recently demonstrated their commitment to continue providing Maryland¡¦s citizens and visitors with the best available MedEvac and law enforcement services in the world. During the 2009 Legislative Session, Governor O'Malley and the General Assembly allocated $52.5 million to begin replacing the Command¡¦s aging fleet of helicopters and allocated over $600,000 to purchase additional safety equipment for the current fleet.

The Aviation Command is currently participating in a procurement process to purchase up to 12 new helicopters. Requirement specifications for the new helicopters mandate that they must be equipped with terrain awareness and warning systems. In the interim, until the existing fleet is fully replaced, the Aviation Command has purchased new terrain awareness and warning systems to outfit each of its helicopters.

Conduct scenario-based training, including the use of simulators and flight training devices, for helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) pilots, to include inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions and hazards unique to HEMS operations, and conduct this training frequently enough to ensure proficiency. (A-09-97)

The Aviation Command is currently in the procurement process to purchase a new flight simulator. The simulator will be used to conduct scenario-based training to include inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions and hazards unique to HEMS operations. The Aviation Command has modified its current pilot training program, which includes scenario based training. The Aviation Command has, both prior to and after the Trooper 2 crash, voluntarily complied with all FAA Part 135 helicopter pilot certification requirements.

Implement a safety management system program that includes sound risk management practices. (A-09-98)

The Aviation Command has a robust safety management system that includes but is not limited to utilizing formalized dispatch and flight-following procedures, voluntarily complying with FAA Part 135 weather minimums, and utilizing a flight risk evaluation program.

Install flight data recording devices and establish a structured flight data monitoring program that incorporates routine reviews of all available sources of information to identify deviations from established norms and procedures and other potential safety issues. (A-09-99)

Requirement specifications for the new helicopters mandate that they must be equipped with flight data recording devices and cockpit video recording devices. A monitoring program that incorporates routine reviews of the information from these devices will be used to identify deviations from established norms and procedures and other potential safety issues.

Install and require that pilots use night vision imaging systems for visual flight rules operations at night. (A-09- 100)

Requirement specifications for the new helicopters mandate that they must be equipped with night vision imaging systems. In the interim until the existing fleet is fully replaced, the Aviation Command has purchased night vision goggles that will initially be used by flight paramedics who will assist the pilots in identifying hazards. Additionally, the Aviation Command has developed specifications and is in the procurement process to purchase night vision imaging filtering systems for several existing helicopters; these systems will enable the pilots to also utilize the night vision goggles and identify hazards.

Equip helicopters that are used in emergency medical services transportation with autopilots, and train pilots to use the autopilot if a second pilot is not available. (A-09-101)

All Aviation Command helicopters are equipped with autopilots and all Aviation Command pilots are trained and proficient in using the autopilot systems. Additionally, requirement specifications for the new helicopters mandate that they must be equipped with autopilots. Furthermore, the Aviation Command has testified in favor of hiring co-pilots as an added safety measure.

While the Aviation Command concurs with the Board¡¦s before mentioned safety recommendations, the Maryland State Police respectfully, but adamantly, disagrees with any statements made today impugning the training and proficiency of the pilot of Trooper 2. The NTSB has stated he was ¡¥certificated and qualified.¡¦ There was no evidence shown that he ¡¥was not proficient in performing non precision approaches.¡¦

The pilot exceeded all of the Federal Aviation Administration¡¦s training, qualification, and recency of experience requirements when he lifted off on September 27, 2008. In fact, the pilot met all of the FAA¡¦s pilot certification criteria for Part 135 operations.

Maryland State Police records prove he was a highly experienced helicopter pilot who was approved by federal aviation authorities as an instrument flight instructor. He exceeded every requirement for training and proficiency and had, within five months of the crash, targeted training in simulated instrument meteorological and night conditions. He was continuously employed by the Aviation Command as a helicopter pilot from 1981 through the date of the crash. He was a pilot with more than 5,000 hours of helicopter experience and more than 2,770 hours of that was in the model aircraft he was flying the night of the crash.

The pilot completed an Instrument Proficiency Check in May 2008 and conducted instrument landing system and tactical air navigation approaches to Andrews Air Force Base and a global positioning system approach to St. Mary¡¦s County Airport. He completed and passed all testing and maneuvers in accordance with federal regulations.

The Maryland State Police strongly believes that the pilot did receive adequate training for the type of circumstances he encountered, that he was very proficient in performing non precision approaches, and that he had received recent and targeted instrument training in simulated IMC/night/poor weather conditions. The vast amount of skill, experience, training, and proficiency possessed by the pilot should not be discounted for the sake of this tragic accident.

The Aviation Command places SAFETY as its most important goal. Despite the tragic crash of Trooper 2, the Command possesses an excellent safety record. A recent study reported that the average Helicopter EMS accident rate between 1998 and 2008 was 3.8 accidents per 100,000 flight hours. Prior to the crash of Trooper 2, the Aviation Command had flown over 100,000 accident free flight hours and had not suffered a fatal crash in over 22-years. Although the Command considers one accident to be one too many, this equates to 2.8 accidents less than the average rate. The Aviation Command continually strives to improve the safety of its operations and build upon its outstanding record of service.

The Aviation Command is comprised of 160 very dedicated personnel who include 55 pilots, 50 trooper flight paramedics, 30 maintenance technicians, and 25 support personnel. The Command¡¦s pilots are all highly skilled and experienced. Pilots are required to have a minimum of 2,000 helicopter hours to even be considered for hire.

The Command¡¦s trooper flight paramedics are all sworn troopers and nationally registered EMT-Paramedics. They are among the most highly skilled pre-hospital EMS providers in the country.

The Command¡¦s Maintenance Division is a certified Federal Aviation Administration Part 145 Repair Station. The Maintenance Division¡¦s technicians are responsible for repairing and maintaining the Command¡¦s helicopters and fixed wing airplanes and they are all licensed Airframe and Power-Plant Mechanics. The NTSB did conclude that maintenance of the Trooper 2 helicopter was not a factor in the crash.

The Aviation Command is proud to be a part the Maryland fire, rescue and EMS family. The Command is only one part of an incredible system of first responders, nurses, doctors and trauma centers that are integrated into an amazing network that saves lives in Maryland everyday. The Aviation Command looks forward to serving Maryland¡¦s citizens for decades to come.

The Maryland State Police Aviation Command will continue to work everyday to uphold the lifesaving tradition of the most successful and most respected police aviation and medevac program in the world.