How Protected Is Flying in a Helicopter?

On April 10, a helicopter carrying six folks, together with the pilot, on a sightseeing tour crashed into the Hudson River in New York Metropolis, killing these on board. Because the Related Press reported, the Nationwide Transportation Security Board is investigating the reason for the incident. 

The crash is, with out query, a tragedy. However when you’ve got a helicopter experience arising quickly, there’s some vital data it’s essential find out about helicopter security.

Whereas the reply to the query “Are helicopters secure?” is nuanced, a fast look at accident statistics reveals that the business has made appreciable strides in decreasing threat to passengers. 

In accordance with 2021 knowledge from the U.S. Helicopter Security Workforce, in 2013, there have been 146 helicopter accidents within the U.S. In 2020, that quantity dropped to 94, marking a 36 % lower in accidents. In 2013, these accidents prompted 61 fatalities, whereas in 2020, there have been 35. 

“Having these statistics proceed to maneuver in an excellent course is a optimistic, and I applaud my colleagues for all they do every day to make our business safer,” Nick Mayhew, business co-chair of the U.S. Helicopter Security Workforce, shared within the report. “However we are able to do higher. Zero fatalities stay our objective. Right here at USHST, we proceed to work on security enhancements primarily based on the accidents we’ve got analyzed, and we’re recurrently growing security supplies to assist this effort.”

The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) does clarify that “The accident fee for helicopters has historically been larger than the accident fee of fixed-wing plane, in all probability as a result of helicopter’s distinctive capabilities to fly and land in additional various conditions than fixed-wing plane.” It additionally famous that pilot error can play a job, as pilots try “to fly the helicopter past the bounds of his or her skills or past the capabilities of the helicopter.”

It added that Nationwide Transportation Security Board statistics present that roughly 80 % of all aviation accidents are brought on by pilot error, aka “the human issue.” 

Moreover, FAA knowledge reveals that although helicopter security has improved, it’s statistically riskier than industrial airline journey, with industrial carriers usually reporting zero or near-zero deadly accidents in most years. This might be resulting from these pilot errors however are additionally doubtless as a result of extremely stringent laws and multi-pilot crews on most industrial aircrafts, making a way more managed atmosphere than flying a helicopter. 

However notably, helicopters are more and more outfitted with superior avionics, terrain consciousness techniques, and crash-resistant gasoline techniques, all of which contribute to fewer accidents and fatalities by eradicating the human issue.

In case you are nonetheless serious about flying by helicopter for a sightseeing tour, it is good to dig into every firm’s security protocols, and when you’re nervous, ask about their pre-flight checks, climate assessments, and their pilots’ experiences. And, like on a industrial aircraft, it’s important for passengers to take duty by intently listening to the pre-flight security briefings so if an accident does happen, they’re ready.