But U.S., Mexico And New Zealand Experience An Uptick In Accidents

The International Helicopter Safety Team has gathered accident information from countries across the globe and continues to seeing an encouraging trend of safer civil helicopter operations. Preliminary 2017 data from 49 countries show that most have decreasing totals for both fatal and non-fatal accidents. Looking forward, the teams plan to place a stronger focus on human factors and safety actions based on empirical analysis.

Using combined data from 49 countries, total civil helicopter accidents in 2017 were down 6 percent compared to the prior year and fatal accidents were reduced by 17 percent year-over-year. Comparing 2017 to 2013, total accidents decreased by 32 percent and fatal accidents were cut by 44 percent.

In the United States, however. there were 121 accidents overall in 2017, up from 106 in 2016 but down from 164 in 2013. The number of accidents with fatalities was also slightly higher in the U.S. ... 20 in 2017 compared to 17 in 2016, but down from 30 recorded in 2013.

As the overall positive trend continues, the worldwide IHST partners will push on with expanding a culture of safety and increasing cooperation on safety issues between government and the industry and within the global helicopter community. Looking forward to 2018, the IHST and its worldwide regional teams will continue to focus on three central objectives:

• Reduce risk and improve safety through widespread and persistent distribution of relevant educational materials.
• Analyze the cause of accidents and develop data-driven safety actions.
• Move the industry (manufacturers, operators, pilots and mechanics) to adopt safety practices or equipment that will reduce the number of accidents.

The IHST was formed in 2005 to lead a government and industry cooperative effort to promote helicopter safety and work to reduce accidents and fatalities.

(Source: IHST news release)

FMI: www.IHST.org, Detailed report