Analysis of US Civil Rotorcraft Accidents from 1990 to 1996 and Implications for a Safety Program

A NASA Ames Research Center analysis of rotorcraft accident data identified safety issues that could lead to a reduction in accidents. The primary source of data was summaries of National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) accident reports. Lower cost helicopters have more accidents than do higher cost helicopters, despite flying fewer total hours, but they have less-serious accidents. The most dramatic division in rotorcraft accidents is between private pilots and professional pilots. Private pilots have more accidents per flight hour than professionals. Pilot error plays a prominent role across the board as either a main cause or contributing factor. Judgement error, in particular, is more likely to lead to a fatal accident than are other types of causes. Accidents with private pilots and those with professional pilots require different solutions. NASA’s near term approach to improving rotorcraft safety addresses improving the capability of the private pilot. NASA is doing this by providing training aids to flight schools and using the internet to distribute safety information via a safety website. The site NASA has created contains helpful information that was previously difficult to find in one location. NASA will develop computerized training modules to be used in conjunction with ground and flight instruction. These two projects, the website and training modules, are aimed at raising safety awareness and increasing pilots’ comprehension of helicopter operations.