US Helicopter Safety Team (USHST)
Monthly Safety Report
January 2023
Fatal Accident Rate: 0.78 (+.23) above goal of 0.55 fatal accidents per 100K hrs by 2025
USHST Vision: A Civil Helicopter Community with Zero Fatal Accidents
“Safety by the Numbers” (Monthly Metrics):
Days since last Fatal helicopter accident: 44 Days : 02 Hours : 16 Minutes : 56 Seconds
Fatal Accident Rate (5yr avg)(CY2018-22) 0.78 Fatal Accidents per 100K Flight Hours
Fatal Accident Rate (CY2022) 18 Fatal Accidents per 100K Flight Hours
Average number of days
between fatal accidents:
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Longest time between
fatal accidents (past 5 yrs):
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2018: 14 days
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107 days (2020)
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2019: 16 days
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2020: 18 days
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2021: 17 days
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2022: 21 days
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Loss of Control-Inflight (LOC-I), Unintended Flight into IMC (UIMC), Low Altitude Operations (LALT).
USHST continues to work on the implementation of 16 Helicopter - Safety Enhancements (H-SE) developed through data-driven analysis of 104 fatal accidents. The H-SE’s use Outreach, Policy, Technology/Equipment, and Training to reduce fatal accidents in these categories.
H-SE 124: Understanding of Basic Helicopter Aerodynamics
FAA and industry to review and revise materials explaining basic helicopter aerodynamics to
emphasize recognition of unsafe aerodynamic situations and apply appropriate corrective actions.
1. FAA and industry to review the Helicopter Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-21A) and Helicopter Instructor’s Handbook (FAA-H-8083-4) and pertinent Advisory Circulars to assess explanations of unsafe aerodynamic situations and provide recommendations for revisions.
2. FAA to revise the Helicopter Flying Handbook and Helicopter Instructor’s Handbook and pertinent Advisory Circulars concerning unsafe aerodynamic situations, to include vortex ring state, low G mast bumping, and low RPM rotor stall guidance.
3. FAA to issue advisory circular on the Vuichard Recovery Technique from vortex ring state.
4. FAA to revise AC 61-83, as amended (Nationally Scheduled, FAA-Approved, Industry-Conducted Flight Instructor Refresher Course) to add critical helicopter aerodynamics to the core topic list.
5. USHST SEA Training Team to develop presentations/promotional materials regarding identification of and response to vortex ring state, low RPM rotor stall, and low G mast bumping for use by the training community.
US Helicopter Safety Team Press Release (Nov 2022): USHST Searching for Next Industry Co-Chair
Helicopter Safety OUTREACH events:
· Next USHST All Hands Webinar - February 23, 2023, 1pm EST Register Today!
Previous All Hands - November 14, 2022
· ROTOR Helicopter Association International - Upcoming Events
· Helicopter Safety Alliance - Upcoming Events
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For any questions regarding the information within this notice please contact Clarke Pleasants, Program Chair-Rotor, ERAU, at 928-7774730 or email at william.pleasants@erau.edu