There seems to be a “blurring” of the term “crash worthiness”
The likelihood or ease of crashing is not crashworthiness. Ie Enstroms are generally easy to overpitch (sometimes leading to fatal VRS – Sydney early ‘90s). Low RRPM blade stall is easier to achieve in an R22, but the results are the same for all helicopters.
I wouldn’t class the ease of repair after a crash as crashworthiness. A B47T in SE Qld has been rebuilt after a fatal accident.
Crash worthiness is usually associated with occupants surviving an impact. Two main factors come into play here.:-
1 occupant space remaining at “survivable dimensions” the egg shaped H500 is one of the best light helicopters in this regard.
2 Decelerations are kept to a minimum. Most modern designs are far superior in this regard. It has to be said that the R22 is outstanding for it’s size and weight, with lots of people surviving rather horrific impacts. Despite prejudices, you are more likely to survive hitting a wall in a 2004 Volvo than a ’57 Chevy (I’d rather own the Chevy)
TLN
