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The Planning Department's Initial Study shows the
proposed helicopter flight paths (below) which would
endanger a great many San Francisco residents:
DANGER
The helicopters' flight path creates a danger to all
residents below. Helicopters are much more likely to
crash than airplanes. In 2005 there were 22
fatal helicopter crashes causing 40 deaths. In
2006 the FAA investigated 25 fatal helicopter
accidents, that caused 41 deaths. Most
helicopter crashes occur over open terrain, where
casualties are restricted to helicopter passengers
and crew. A jet fuel-filled helicopter crash on
to the wood-frame houses in San Francisco could
destroy an entire city block, injuring or killing
dozens of local residents.
Read about the risks and overuse of medical air
transport in a
2005 Wall Street Journal article.
NOISE
The News/Traffic helicopters SF residents currently
hear are single-engine and fly no lower than 1,400
feet. But medical helicopters are twin-engine and 50%
louder. They would begin to descend for landing more
than a mile away from SF General.
Landing on the helipad will bring them down to 100
feet. The noise will be as MUCH louder than the
little traffic helicopters. At homes located
in the nearby blocks, it will create noise levels
equivalent to a jackhammer or Harley Davidson
motorcycle. It will shake buildings, rattle
windows, set off car alarms, prevent conversation,
and wake sleeping children and adults.
Learn more about the noise levels.
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