USHST


United States Helicopter Safety Team


Lower Nighttime Flight Hours = Higher Nighttime Helicopter Accidents Data Shows that Experience is a Key Component for Safe Night Operations


AS THE NIGHTS GET LONGER AND THE BLUE SKIES FADE TO A WINTRY GREY, fl ight skills and experience become more important factors for safe helicopter operations. Six years of safety data compiled by the United States Helicopter Safety Team (www.USHST.org) shows that more than half of all civil helicopter accidents occurring at night involve pilots with less than 100 hours of night fl ight experience. In addition, pilots with less than 500 hours of night operations experience are involved in 78 percent of nighttime accidents. The USHST analyzed information from 938 U.S. helicopter accidents during six years (2000, 2001, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011) and saw a trend that was somewhat expected, but had not previously been scrutinized. The data is listed below: (“Other Operations” do not include emergency medical service, fi refi ghting or law enforcement missions.)


Other Operations


Nighttime Experience 0-99 night hours


100-499 night hours 500 + night hours


# of Accidents 21 10 9


Percentage 53% 25% 23%


Emergency Operations


# of Accidents 4


16 24


Percentage 9%


36% 55%


For non-emergency operations, less nighttime experience equals more accidents, but the trend fl ips for nighttime accidents within the realm of emergency operations.


However, in large part, this is due to the fact that most pilots fl ying these emergency missions have accumulated a lot of night fl ight experience and they are frequently fl ying in challenging conditions. But the data also illustrates that even the most experienced pilots have accidents in nighttime conditions. In addition, a closer look at the analysis in the following chart shows that private/personal fl ying and instructional operations are especially susceptible to accidents at


night. Private Operations


Nighttime Experience 0-99 night hours


100-499 night hours 500 + night hours


# of Accidents 10 2 0


Percentage 83% 17% 0%


Instructional Operations


# of Accidents 6 0 0


Percentage 100% 0% 0%


Although it is a small sample size, the trend shows that pilots on night fl ights, especially less experienced pilots, need to take every precaution to ensure safety.


Federal Aviation Administration Monthly Accident & Incident Data for the Months of October & November 2014 OCTOBER


A copy of a fuel receipt indicated the helicopter was CEN15LA002 - PRELIMINARY INJURIES: 3 SERIOUS


On October 2, 2014, about 1300 central daylight time, a Bell 206B helicopter, N49746, made a hard forced landing near Woodsboro, Texas, following a loss of engine power. The airline transport-rated pilot and two passengers received serious injuries. The helicopter sustained substantial damage during a subsequent roll over. The helicopter was registered to and operated by an individual doing business under the provisions of Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an aerial observation. Day visual fl ight rules conditions prevailed for the fl ight, which did not operate on a fl ight plan. The fl ight originated from the Alfred C ‘Bubba’ Thomas Airport (T69), near Sinton, Texas, about 1200.


serviced on October 2, 2014, with 60.1 gallons of Jet A fuel at T69.


According to an initial interview with the accident


pilot, he indicated that he was fl ying the helicopter between 75 and 100 feet above ground level. The purpose of the fl ight was a laser examination of and over a pipeline. He recalled getting a low rotor RPM horn. He said that there were wires to his right side and building structures on his left. The helicopter yawed and he applied a pressure to a pedal. The helicopter yawed about a half circle prior to him setting it down in the closest clearing. The helicopter subsequently rolled on its right side. The pilot indicated that he did not have an intended destination and was fl ying where the observer advised him to fl y.


At 1353, the recorded weather at the Aransas County Airport, near Rockport, Texas, was: wind 170 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 21 knots, with winds varying from 130 degrees to 190 degrees; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition few clouds at 1,600 feet, scattered clouds at 2,400 feet, broken clouds at 2,900 feet; temperature 32 degrees C; dew point 26 degrees C; altimeter 29.86 inches of mercury.


CEN15FA003 - PRELIMINARY INJURIES: 3 FATAL, 1 SERIOUS


On October 4, 2014, about 0155 central daylight time, N335AE, a Bell 206L1+, was destroyed by post-impact fi re after it impacted terrain while on approach to the United Regional Hospital helipad, in Wichita Falls, Texas. The commercial pilot was


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