We have seen progree in helicopter safety, but not enough. Here is what safety looks like today.

1. Goshen, Indiana
June 2013

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

3. 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.

4. 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

6. 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

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

9. Recent Fatal U.S. Rotorcraft Accidents
Oct. 5, 2012 - 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

10. 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

11. 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

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

13. 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

14. 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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