Australian ATSB figures - helicopters going it alone.
A recent ATSB report stated that from Jan 2000 to Jun 2005 - (that is five and a half years) there were 190 helicopter accidents from our say, 1,000 helicopters at that time.
Of the 190 lost, 90 were R22 and 10 R44.
One accident every ten days!
Four of the Robinson R22 fleet decided to go flying by themselves and leave the very unamused pilot pondering his next job!
From memory there may have been a couple of turbines - not sure until I re-look at the data.
I suspect it was worse in the preceding five years.
Trouble is; these are avoidable; and we all pay by extra premiums on the insurance policy.
This is passed onto the grumpy client who will probably use a truck if one could do the job?
Any ideas how we can stop this happening.
Any tips or observations?