Helikopter - Ulykkesfrekvensen synker - USA

U.S. Helicopter Accident Numbers Lowest in 30 Years

The total number of helicopter accidents in the U.S. declined by 11 percent last year versus 2013, while the number of fatalities dropped 30 percent over the same period, according to statistics released by the U.S. Helicopter Safety Team (USHST). The number of helicopter accidents last year was 30 percent lower than a decade ago (130 versus 185 in 2005). Before 2006, the year the International Helicopter Safety Team (IHST) was created, the number of worldwide civil helicopter accidents was rising at 2.5 percent annually. Since 2006, the number of accidents worldwide has been declining at 2 percent each year. USHST government co-chair Jim Viola believes the safety messages and updated training scenarios created by both teams are beginning to make an impact. “One-hundred-thirty accidents during the year is still 130 too many, but we’re glad to see that the numbers are continuing to go down. More helicopter operators, pilots, instructors and mechanics across the country are learning how to better manage risk and are infusing their culture with effective safety habits,” he said Team Identifies Seven Best Helo Safety Technologies The European Helicopter Safety Team (EHST), working in partnership with the National Aerospace Laboratory in Amsterdam, recently announced a list of seven technologies every helicopter operator should seriously consider in the effort to reduce accidents. The EHST and Aerospace Lab study analyzed accident causes and contributing factors and settled on the tools most likely to warn pilots of impending accidents or increase their situational awareness. This included an enhanced ground proximity warning system to aurally and visually warn of land-based obstacles, such as mountainous terrain and radio towers; and a laser radar obstacle and terrain avoidance system to warn pilots of the proximity of nearly invisible wires using an eye-safe laser mounted on the helicopter’s fuselage. It also studied a passive tower-based obstacle collision avoidance system that employs ground-based units attached to utility and power line towers. The ground-based systems detect approaching air traffic and activate warning lights that illuminate the obstacle. In addition, the EHST and Aerospace Lab study analyzed numerical approaches for in-flight rotorcraft flight performance and mission planning, helicopter radar altimeters, digital range flight guidance aids and wire-strike protection systems.