Some facts:
Between 1990 & 2001 there have been 39 fatal accidents to UK registered helicopters (CAP701 & CAP735). These accidents have occurred to 12 different types of machine.
Fifteen of these fatal accidents (38%) have been attributed to technical problems / failure. These 15 accidents have occurred to six types:
R22
B206
Rotorway Exec
H369 Series
H269 Series
AS350
The R22 fleet suffered 11 fatal accidents, 38% of all fatal accidents. Seven of these accidents (18% of all fatal accidents) have been attributed to technical problems / failure. Four were due to the engine stopping, two because of the tailboom being struck by Main Rotor and one sprag clutch failure.
The B206 fleet suffered 10 fatal accidents, 26% of all fatal accidents. Three of these accidents (8% of all fatal accidents) have been attributed to technical problems / failure. One due to TR drive disconnecting, one MR striking fuselage and one engine problems.
The Rotorway Exec fleet suffered 2 fatal accidents, 5% of all fatal accidents. One of these accidents (3% of all fatal accidents) has been attributed to technical problems / failure due to MR disbonding.
The H369 Series suffered 2 fatal accidents, 5% of all fatal accidents. Both of these accidents have been attributed to technical problems / failure. One of these was due to reported loss of control and the other due to engine run down.
The H269 Series suffered 2 fatal accidents, 5% of all fatal accidents. One of these accidents (3% of all fatal accidents) has been attributed to technical problems / failure – in flight breakup.
The AS350 series suffered 3 fatal accidents, 8% of all fatal accidents. One of these accidents (3% of all fatal accidents) was due to loss of control.
An estimated 1,970,000 were flown by helicopters less than 5,700kg MTWA.
Fatal Accident (all accidents) Rate per million flight hours (all helicopters <5,700kg flown):
R22 5.6
B206 5.1
R44 1.5
AS350 1.5
H369 1.0
RW Exec 1.0
H269 1.0
AS355 1.0
A109 0.5
S76 0.5
S61 0.3 inc hours for >5,700kg
AS332 0.3 inc hours for >5,700kg
Fatal Accident Rate due to technical problems / failure per million flight hours (all helicopters flown):
R22 3.6
B206 1.5
H369 1.0
RW Exec 0.5
H269 0.5
AS350 0.5
If you want the rate per type specific hours flown then we need to get hold of the number of hours flown per type in the period.
What can you conclude from the above figures, well as with all statistics it’s entirely up to you really. What I can conclude is that nobody died from an Enstrom failing mechanically!
but whats happened to posting pictures of helicopters and sexy women?
Jed A1
E&OE