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NTSB MEETS TO CONSIDER SAFETY STUDY ON THE USE OF AIRBAGS IN GENERAL AVIATION AIRCRAFT

National Transportation Safety Board
Washington, DC 20594

January 6, 2011

The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a public
Board meeting to consider a safety study on the
effectiveness of airbags in general aviation (GA) aircraft.

The NTSB initiated the safety study to 1) examine the
effectiveness of airbags in mitigating occupant injury in a
survivable GA accident, 2) identify any unintended
consequences of airbag deployments, and 3) develop
procedures to assist investigators in documenting airbag
systems in future investigations.

During the course of the study, investigators became aware
of several potential issues that could compromise occupant
safety associated with the use, adjustment and design of
restraint systems. All of these findings will be presented
to the five-Member Board for their consideration.

The meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 11, at 9:30
a.m., in its Board Room and Conference Center, 429 L’Enfant
Plaza, S.W., Washington, D.C.

A live and archived webcast of the proceedings will be
available on the Board’s website at
http://www.ntsb.gov/Events/Boardmeeting.htm. Technical
support details are available under “Board Meetings.” To
report any problems, please call 703-993-3100 and ask for
Webcast Technical Support.

A summary of the safety study, which will include its
findings and safety recommendations, will appear on the
website shortly after the conclusion of the meeting. The
entire study will appear on the website several weeks later.

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    -30-

    NTSB Media Contact: Keith Holloway
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    (202) 314-6100

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