2020-03-09 Letter to Lorraine R. Inouye and Breene Harimoto SCR 11, SR 12 Requesting the US Congress to Authorize the NTSB to Adopt & Enforce Regulations for Increased Safety

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y urRoy Takemoto M.. �� Managing Director Harry Kim Alaror Barbara J. Kossow s•Mrr 4TE•o !-' Deputy Managing Director County of Hawai`i Office of the Mayor 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawai'i 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553 KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg C • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 (808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440 March 10, 2020 Senator Lorraine R. Inouye, Chair Senator Breene Harimoto, Vice Chair Committee on Transportation Dear Chair Inouye, Vice Chair Harimoto, and Committee Members: RE: SCR 11/SR 12 Requesting the United States Congress to Authorize the National Transportation Safety Board to Adopt and Enforce Regulations for Increased Safety Standards for Helicopters and Small Aircraft that Charge Fees for Carrying Passengers on Recreational Flights SCR 11 and SR 12 call on Congress to authorize the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to "adopt and enforce regulations for increased safety standards for helicopters and small aircraft that charge fees for carrying passengers on recreational flights." I fully support such an initiative, and ask for your favorable vote. A few months ago, the crash of a tour helicopter on a residential street in Kailua, Oahu, took the lives of people on board the aircraft. That was tragic enough, but the situation could easily have been far worse for people on the ground. Add a recognition of the number of flights that routinely travel over populated areas on all the islands, and it is easy to imagine substituting Kailua-Kona for Kailua, Oahu, or any other residential community in our State. Action should be taken before there is more unnecessary grief and sorrow that could be avoided through better regulation. Since the State and counties are barred from providing the oversight required, and the Federal Aviation Administration has failed to accept NTSB recommendations, the path forward suggested in SR 12 and SCR 11 makes great sense. Respectfully Submitted, Harry MAYOR County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.