2003 HSAC Stats published in Feb '04
HSAC Members: February 23, 2004
Please find attached the Helicopter Safety Advisory Conference (HSAC) "2003 Gulf of Mexico Offshore Helicopter Operations and Safety Review". The membership support and response from 22 helicopter operators for this review is not only appreciated, but vital in establishing a meaningful report. Continued support is encouraged for the future.
The 2003 Gulf of Mexico oil industry helicopter accident rate per 100,000 flight hours was 3.93 with a total of 15 accidents (all single engine) compared to a 20-year annual average accident rate of 1.83 with a total of 9.1 accidents/year. The fatal accident rate per 100,000 flight hours during 2003 was 1.84 with a total of 7 fatal accidents compared to a 20-year average of 0.63 with a total of 2.7 fatal accidents/year.
This was the worst overall accident record in the 20 years since we began gathering data, with the highest number of fatal events (7) and total fatalities (12), and second highest number of total accidents (15). The 7 fatal accidents were caused by: 2 each engine and controlled flight into water; 1 each loss of control, helideck obstacle strike, loss of passenger control.
During 2003, improper pilot procedures accounted for 11 (73%) of the 15 accidents. 3 each of these were due to controlled flight into terrain or water, loss of control of the helicopter, and obstacle strikes. 1 each due to cargo falling out of the baggage bay and striking the tail rotor, and a strike to another helicopter.
In the last 5 years, there have been 47 accidents of which 14 were fatal (30%), resulting in 19 fatalities and 42 injuries. 25 (53%) of these accidents were due to pilot procedure related causes and 13 (28%) were due to technical fault. It should be noted that other than engines, the only technical causes of accidents were tail rotor failures. The specific leading causes of accidents in the last 5 years have been:
(19%) engine related - with 4 fatalities
(19 %) loss of control or improper procedure with 1 fatality
(11%) helideck obstacle strikes with 5 fatalities
(11%) controlled flight into terrain or water - 3 occurred at night - with 5 fatalities
(9%) tail rotor failures
(6%) fuel quality control
(6%) loose cargo striking tail rotor
(6%) passenger control with 2 fatalities
We are optimistic that by sharing this information with all operators and other oil industry group's, safety initiatives may be developed to reduce accidents and incidents.