Loss of control in flight, unintended flight into instrument meteorological conditions and low-altitude operations accounted for 50 percent of 104 fatal helicopter accidents between 2009 and 2013, according to a recent analysis by the United States Helicopter Safety Team. The USHST has begun developing safety recommendations aimed at mitigating fatal accidents resulting from these three causes, and a recommendations list and action plan is expected to be completed by early next year.
The USHST also has begun to enhance its outreach to key helicopter industry groups where the largest number of fatal accidents occurs: personal/private sector, helicopter air ambulance, commercial helicopter operations and aerial applications. Ad hoc outreach groups from the USHST will identify points of contact within these industry segments, engage key personnel in seminars and industry meetings, and attend conventions and gatherings relevant to these identified sectors. Outreach will be a continuing process for the next three-and-a-half years.
From 2016 through 2019, the USHST is focusing major attention on reducing fatal accidents within the U.S. civil helicopter community. The industry-government partnership is targeting a reduction by 2019 to 0.61 fatal accidents or less per 100,000 flight hours. The fatal accident rate goal for this year is 0.73 or less. In fact, for the first six months of 2016, the fatal accident rate is only 0.54, a 47-percent decrease compared to 2013, but slightly higher than the overall fatal rate of 0.52 in 2015.