Helicopter accidents
So thats almost half of accidents since 2000 unlikely to be captured by automation.
Comparing accident reports to 1st hand accounts you would think that reading the official report that the media crew had no influence on the pilot.
We know they are capable of corrupting, distracting and confusing.
In developed countries there were only a few incidents that could/should have been reported that were not. (Incident defined for my list as damage to aircaft or camera or injuries to crew.
In a large number of incidents it took additional sources of information and research to join the dots as to the detailed purpose of the flight.
For instance a crash of a two seater with photograher on board is one thing but if it transpires the photographer was also shooting video and they were orbiting a subject and spun in then it is of relevance if one is to educate pilots of the issues in trying to achieve a smooth orbit of a subject on a breezy day.
A comparitivly large number of "close calls" go unreported and it is not PC to discuss in public thus depriving the industry of, in my view, at least a three times greater incident base from which to learn.
Mickjoebill
Last edited by mickjoebill; 4th Apr 2015 at 04:52.
Join Date: Dec 2011
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Here are some numbers for the US from a NTSB Database Search I did.
Leading Causes of Fatal Turbine Rotorcraft Accidents (US) 2004-2014
Fatal Accidents (totals past 10 years) (108)
Collision with Wires/Obstacles 26
Inadvertent IMC 15
Main Rotor Blades/System Failure 9
Spatial Disorientation 9
Mid Air Collision7
Fuel Exhaustion5
Engine Failure Mechanical (Single Engine)5
Undetermined 5
Pilot Medical Incapacitation 3
Over Gross Weight CFIT3
Tailrotor/Drive Failure3
Dynamic Rollover 2
Undetermined (Not Engine Related)2
Passenger Bumped Controls2
Ground Personnel Contact with Rotors2
Failed Attempt at Aerobatic Maneuvers2
Ext. Load Contacted Tail rotor 1
Hydraulic Failure1
Bird Strike1
Engine Failure (Twin engine Helicopter)1
Twin engine helicopter took off with one engine at idle (CFIT)1
Controlled Flight into Water While Filming1
Took off with Pedals Locked1
Loss of Tail rotor Effectiveness1
Leading Causes of Fatal Turbine Rotorcraft Accidents (US) 2004-2014
Fatal Accidents (totals past 10 years) (108)
Collision with Wires/Obstacles 26
Inadvertent IMC 15
Main Rotor Blades/System Failure 9
Spatial Disorientation 9
Mid Air Collision7
Fuel Exhaustion5
Engine Failure Mechanical (Single Engine)5
Undetermined 5
Pilot Medical Incapacitation 3
Over Gross Weight CFIT3
Tailrotor/Drive Failure3
Dynamic Rollover 2
Undetermined (Not Engine Related)2
Passenger Bumped Controls2
Ground Personnel Contact with Rotors2
Failed Attempt at Aerobatic Maneuvers2
Ext. Load Contacted Tail rotor 1
Hydraulic Failure1
Bird Strike1
Engine Failure (Twin engine Helicopter)1
Twin engine helicopter took off with one engine at idle (CFIT)1
Controlled Flight into Water While Filming1
Took off with Pedals Locked1
Loss of Tail rotor Effectiveness1