U.S. Civil Helicopter Accidents Continue To Decline

The total number of helicopter accidents declined by 28 percent during the first six months of this year, compared with the same period last year, according to a report from the U.S. Helicopter Safety Team. The total number of accidents has dropped nearly 50 percent versus 2006. From January through June, 46 civil helicopter accidents were recorded in the U.S.; 64 accidents occurred in the first half of last year. During the first half, there were 10 fatal helicopter accidents, compared with nine fatal accidents during the same period last year and 17 fatal accidents during the first half of 2013.

Before 2006, worldwide civil helicopter accident numbers were rising 2.5 percent per year. Since 2006, however, those numbers have been dropping by 2 percent each year. The USHST said it will continue to work to reduce fatal accidents by focusing on the human factors, as well as improved accident-prevention equipment and technology.