Goshen, Indiana June 2013

A Safety Snapshot of the U.S. Civil Helicopter Community

A Are We All Listening? In 2006, there were 159 civil helicopter accidents in the United States. Six years later, in 2012, there were 134 U.S. civil helicopter accidents. We have seen progress, but not enough. Personal/private helicopter flights accounted for about 20% of these accidents, But only 4% of the total flight hours.

Helicopter Accidents by Industry Area Analyzing 523 accidents in the U.S. from three years of data (2000, 2001, and 2006), the IHST has verified that these industry areas have the highest percentage of accidents. mission type share of accidents 1.Personal/Private 18.5 percent 2.Instructional/Training 17.6 percent 3.Aerial Application 10.3 percent 4.Emergency Medical Services 7.6 percent 5.Commercial 7.5 percent

Helicopter Accidents by Activity Analyzing 523 accidents in the U.S. from three years of data (2000, 2001, and 2006), the IHST has verified that these activities have the highest percentage of accidents. activity share of accidents 1.Instructional/Training 22.8 percent 2.Positioning/RTB 13.2 percent 3.Personal/Private 12.4 percent 4.Passenger/Cargo 9.8 percent 5.Aerial Application 9.0 percent

Looking at Accident Causes in the U.S. Civil Helicopter Community

Recent Fatal U.S. Rotorcraft Accidents Oct. 5, Louisiana – heavy fog, low ceiling and visibility Oct. 9, 2012 – Pennsylvania - en route weather was IMC Oct. 10, 2012 – Louisiana - struck broadcast tower guy wire Nov. 4, 1012 – Georgia - struck wires while flying at low level Nov. 15, 2012 – New York – struck wires during power line survey Nov. 30, 2013 – Florida – main rotor blades separated in flight Dec. 10, 2012 – Illinois – crashed after flight abort due to weather Jan. 2, 2013 – Iowa – crashed during freezing rain in area Jan. 2, 2013 – California – attempted return to airport in fog Feb. 18, 2013 – Nevada – wire strike near a power line March 26, 2013 – Texas – rapid descent during 45-degree turn April 3, 2013 – Florida – crashed after install of new main rotor blades April 27, 2013 – Montana – struck wires during low altitude flight

How Helicopter Pilots Die The data shows that Loss of Control figures into one out of every five fatal accidents with Visibility issues (Visual Meteorological Conditions into Instrument Meteorological Conditions, darkness, fog, glare, etc.) not far behind. Taken together, Loss of Control and Visibility problems contribute to one-third of all fatal helicopter accidents. Most Predominant Occurrences During Fatal Helicopter Accidents 1. Loss of Control 2. Visibility issues 3. Fire (post-impact) 4. Wire Strike 5. System Component Failure Other Frequent Occurrences During Fatal Helicopter Accidents  Autorotation (in practice & emergency)  Controlled Flight Into Terrain  Fuel issue  Abrupt Maneuver  Icing

IHST Initiatives GATHER AND ANALYZE ACCIDENT DATA DIG DEEP INTO ACCIDENT CAUSES DETERMINE WAYS TO REDUCE ACCIDENTS DEVELOP SAFETY TOOLKITS AND LEAFLETS CHANGE ATTITUDES AND CULTURE

IHST SAFETY TOOLKITS SMS 1st Edition Edition 2 Translation of Toolkits in Progress

SAFETY LEAFLETS Inadvertent Entry into Cloud or Fog Instructional Safety: Training Safety or Training Safely? Controlled Flight into Terrain: How Does it Happen? Density Altitude – The Invisible Factor of Helicopter Performance Emergency Decision Making: What Happens When You Lose a Critical System? Energy in Autorotations – Using Energy for our Benefit Gaining Control over Loss-of-Control Accidents Visibility: The Minimum You Should Know

FACT SHEETS Twelve Operational Pitfalls for Helicopter Pilots Five Hazardous Attitudes for Helicopter Pilots to Recognize Helicopter Pilot Safety Antidotes for Hazardous Attitudes The Top 10 Ways You Can Prevent Helicopter Accidents Simple Safety Steps for Every Helicopter Operator How Helicopter Pilots Die

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