Rash of Fatal Crashes
Prompts Broad Warning By Helicopter Safety Advocates
By Amy Kluber | July 12, 2018
Sunday's helicopter crash in Williamsburg,
Virginia, marked the latest incident in what the U.S. Helicopter Safety Team
(USHST) is calling "the worst 10-day stretch of fatal accidents [in the
U.S.] since late 2012." It's now calling on the helicopter community to
remember important safeguards before flying.
In an open letter to the U.S. helicopter community
distributed Thursday, the team refers to the four fatal accidents that occurred
from June 29 to July 8 in Texas, Puerto Rico, Indiana and Virginia. Each caused
one fatality.
"Within the 50 states plus D.C. and Puerto
Rico, four fatal helicopter accidents and four fatalities occurred from June 29
to July 8, 2018, a pace of nearly one fatal accident every other day," the
letter reads. "Investigations take time, so the underlying cause of each
case will not be known for some time. However, there is one thing we know
with certainty. None of the individuals involved in these tragic events
woke up that morning thinking this would be their last helicopter flight.
The series of fatal helicopter accidents is a reminder to our community.
There is sometimes a fine line between a flight that ends uneventfully and one
that ends disastrously."
The team noted a similar trend in 2012 in which
five fatal helicopter accidents occurred in California, Texas, Florida,
Michigan and Illinois from Nov. 25 to Dec. 10.
The letter lists five reminders for flying
helicopters: review basic procedures, think through what actions you would take
for various emergencies, consider how summer temperatures affect performance
and aircraft limitations, consider factors that may build up cumulative fatigue
and practice real-time risk management.
"As a community, let's all do our part to
ensure the 10-day surge in fatal helicopter accidents is an anomaly and does
not stretch into a long-term trend," the letter concluded.
In the most recent accident last weekend, a
Robinson Helicopter R44 crashed into an apartment building in Williamsburg, Virginia.
The pilot and one apartment resident were killed.
An Open Letter to the U.S.
Helicopter Community
Our U.S. helicopter community just went through the worst short-term
surge in fatal accidents we've experienced within the past six years. With four
fatal accidents within a 10-day span, the U.S. Helicopter Safety Team feels that
there is a benefit to informing our broader community of this information. We
also feel that it is appropriate timing for some straightforward reminders that
can contribute to safe flying.
We would appreciate your help in communicating this important message
to our community. We invite you to tailor it accordingly as you think would be
most effective.
Dear helicopter pilots, mechanics, operators, instructors,
etc.:
The U.S. helicopter industry just endured the worst ten-day stretch
of fatal accidents observed since late 2012. Within the 50 states plus D.C. and
Puerto Rico, four fatal helicopter accidents and four fatalities occurred from
June 29 to July 8, 2018, a pace of nearly one fatal accident every other day.
Investigations take time, so the underlying cause of each case will not be known
for some time. However, there is one thing we know with certainty. None of the
individuals involved in these tragic events woke up that morning thinking this
would be their last helicopter flight. The series of fatal helicopter accidents
is a reminder to our community. There is sometimes a fine line between a flight
that ends uneventfully and one that ends disastrously.
We are still early in the summer with plenty of good flying weather
in front of us. In the wake of this recent surge in fatal accidents, let us take
some time to think through how we can make sure the rest of the summer is spent
with enjoyment rather than grief.
1. Review your basic procedures. The simple,
mundane practices are often what keep us safe.
2. Think through what actions you would take for
various aircraft emergencies.
3. Consider what effect summer temperatures will
have on the performance and limitations of
your aircraft.
4. Contemplate what factors may be subtly
building up your cumulative fatigue. Days in the
summer are long, often resulting in more activity and
less sleep.
5. Practice real time risk management, even with
small decisions. Make a habit of mentally asking
yourself, "What could go wrong with what I'm doing right
now? What could I do to make sure
the worst case scenario doesn't kill me?"
As a community, let's all do our part to ensure the ten-day surge in
fatal helicopter accidents is an anomaly and does not stretch into a long-term
trend. Fly safe today.
2018
June 29, 2018
Sterling City, Texas Aerial Observation
Robinson R-22 1
fatality
June 30, 2018 San
Juan, Puerto Rico Personal/Private Bell
206B 1 fatality
July 6, 2018
Morristown, Indiana Aerial Observation
Bell/Scott's 47G-2 1
fatality
July 8, 2018
Williamsburg, Virginia Personal/Private Robinson
R-44 1 fatality
2012
Nov. 25, 2012
Corona, Calif.
Personal/Private Robinson
R-44 1 fatality
Nov. 27, 2012
Childress, Texas Utilities/Construction
MDHI 369D 1
fatality
Nov. 30, 2012 Apollo
Beach, Fla. Personal/Private Robinson
R-22 1 fatality
Dec. 1,
2012 Walkerville, Michigan
Personal/Private Bell/Scott's 47G-2
1 fatality
Dec. 10, 2012 Rochelle,
Illinois Air Ambulance Airbus BK117A-3
3 fatalities
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