Flight Safety Foundation Helicopter Safety 1993

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November–December 1993

Operators Say Rule Changes Could Improve Helicopter IFR Safety 6 pages. [PDF 32K]

Helicopters are capable of operations at very low altitudes under instrument flight rules, and many operators believe that U.S. regulations must be changed to keep pace with technical advances, or safe helicopter flight may be compromised.

September–October 1993

Poll of Helicopter Operators Yields Data on Flight Operations and Fleets 8 pages. [PDF 48K]

Difficult economic times have put increasing pressures on helicopter operators. According to a recent industry survey, flight hours and revenues were down in 1992, although the overall fleet increased somewhat.

July–August 1993

Fluid Leak Precipitates Fatal Crash in Experimental V-22 Osprey 4 pages. [PDF 31K]

The tilt-rotor aircraft underwent a series of emergencies in its final seconds of flight from which the crew could not recover. Under development as a multi-mission military aircraft, the V-22 has been touted as a likely urban civilian commuter.

May–June 1993

Typical Helicopter Accidents Profiled; Safety Still Rests with Pilots 8 pages. [PDF 40K]

Researchers compiled accident data from U.S. National Transportation Safety Board and military sources to create composite scenarios of helicopter accidents at heliports and airports. The report is designed as a training aid for pilots and provides heliport design suggestions.

March–April 1993

Canadian Safety Report: Recent Crash Shows Effectiveness of Egress Safety Recommendations for Wide-body Helicopters 4 pages. [PDF 37K]

A Transportation Safety Board of Canada study showed that wide-body helicopters carrying large passenger loads were particularly susceptible to egress problems during emergencies. A recent accident suggested that safety measures recommended in 1991 are proving effective in speeding evacuation times and reducing the risk of injury and fire-related fatalities. But the crash also renewed concern about the crashworthiness of helicopter fuel systems.

January–February 1993

Unusual Attitudes: Helicopters and Instrument Flight 4 pages. [PDF 24K]

Flight into adverse weather conditions poses risks even for experienced, instrument-rated pilots. Special skills and training are needed to increase safety and reduce accidents.