FAA: Helicopter Accident Rates Dropping
Helicopter accident and fatality rates have decreased for the third consecutive year, the agency reported.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration announced that the nation's helicopter accident rate and the fatal helicopter rate have fallen for the third consecutive year.
According to the agency's news release, the accident rate fell to 3.19 accidents per 100,000 flight hours in 2016 compared with 3.67 accidents in 2015. The fatal accident rate fell to 0.51 accidents per 100,000 flight hours in 2016 compared with a 0.52 rate in 2015. The number of fatal accidents remained the same, however, as in 2015: 17 each year.
"The FAA and the helicopter industry have worked together to educate the civil helicopter community about safe practices, to drive these improved results," said FAA Administrator Michael Huerta. "The FAA and the industry also are taking an active role in advancing safety through new technology, collaborative policy changes and proactive outreach."