I don't know why the offshore data suddenly entered this discussion except as recognition that HSAC/OGP does actually collect data. You might find this quote from an old post by SASless interesting:
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.
Which brings us neatly on to the observation by Zalt on the IHST initiative.
None of us would do other than congratulate the helicopter community on its initiative to reduce the accident rate by 80% in 10 years. However, we should sound a note of caution because of the limited data that is being considered. At this time, the number of US accidents that have been analysed (for the year 2000) is 197 of which nine are for offshore. (The quote from SASless shows the benefit of smoothing data over a statistical window - it doesn't completely remove skewing but it does widen the perspective of the observer (see Sid's statistics for the OGP in 2000 and immediately notice skewing from the midair that happened in Mexico).)
Oh, and by the way, there is no JAA prohibition on flying singles offshore in a non-hostile-environment (such as the GOM) - it was removed from JAR-OPS 3 at Amendment 5 and from ICAO at Revision 12.
We might speculate that the JHSIT (the implementation team of the IHST) will recommend the introduction of Safety Management Systems (together with Risk Assessment), and monitoring in (lightweight forms of) HUMS and HOMP.
No change in regulations but would that satisfy you Zalt?