The National Transportation Safety Board is calling for the installation of aviation weather cameras in remote locations in Hawaii following a string of weather-related crashes here since 1997.
The recommendation came about because in a number of incidents reviewed by the board, it was determined that pilots had run into trouble after relying on visual flight rules and then encountered adverse weather conditions over Hawaii’s mountainous terrain of volcanos, craters and ridges.
More than half of those crashes occurred during sightseeing tours.
"Pilots in Hawaii can face challenging weather scenarios when operating near variable terrain. … The weather can vary greatly from location to location in Hawaii," the board said.
Acting board Chairwoman Deborah Hersman and the other four board members sent the recommendations Thursday to Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Michael Huerta.
FAA spokesman Ian Gregor said Friday afternoon that officials were unavailable for comment.
Sunshine Helicopters Director of Operations Paul Morris said the Helicopter International Association has been working with FAA officials for about four years on developing an aviation camera system.
"We’d support anything they do in enhancing air safety," Morris said.
The NTSB reviewed 13 air accidents in Hawaii since 1997 and said those crashes resulted in 48 fatalities. The aircraft involved were nine helicopters and four single-engine airplanes, seven of which were conducting sightseeing tours, the board said.
Adverse weather conditions contributing to low visibility included rain squalls and fog.
As an example, the board cited a tour accident on Kauai that killed five people after the helicopter crashed into mountainous terrain in Kalaheo on Sept. 24, 2004. According to an NTSB investigation, the pilot’s decision to continue flying under visual flight rules into an area of "turbulent, reduced visibility" resulted in his disorientation and loss of control of the aircraft.
The board said during interviews after the crash, tour pilots said weather conditions change so rapidly that traditional sources of pilot information were not useful.
The FAA began an aviation weather camera program in Alaska in 1999.
The board said the program has contributed to a 53 percent decrease in weather-related aviation accidents in Alaska.
Aviation weather cameras have been installed in 185 locations in Alaska since 1999, with 221 locations scheduled to be completed by 2014.
"These aviation weather cameras provide real-time images of weather conditions at remote airports and mountain passes in Alaska, adding to weather briefings to help pilots and flight dispatchers," the board said.
National Weather Service forecasters in Hawaii often rely on remote instruments and ground observations that might not be close to mountainous terrain, the board said.
The board said it believes aviation weather cameras can also greatly improve aviation safety on the mainland.
The FAA plans to start research to identify the highest-risk mountain passes on the mainland but hasn’t submitted a plan to install cameras, the board said.
