U.S. Rotorcraft Accident Data & Statistics International Helicopter Safety Team Lee Roskop, FAA Rotorcraft Standards Staff Scott Tyrrell, FAA Rotorcraft Standards Staff U.S. JHIMDAT Government Co-Chair January 23, 2013 1
Overview Accident Data and Trends Industry Sector Analysis Analysis by NTSB Finding Code Recent Concerns IHST Review SPSs, IRs, Occurrences U.S. JHIMDAT Current Actions Questions and Answers 2
Accident Count U.S. Rotorcraft Accident and Fatal Accident Counts 250 200 150 175 187 205 169 185 154 171 143 152 148 134 129 100 50 0 38 28 25 31 35 24 25 29 23 24 19 18 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 Calendar Year Accidents Fatal Accidents 3
Accident Rate 12.00 U.S. Rotorcraft Accident & Fatal Accident Rates 10.00 8.00 8.96 9.97 9.60 6.00 4.00 6.67 6.05 4.47 5.27 4.44 5.06 3.94 3.68 4.10 2.00 0.00 1.43 1.78 1.33 1.22 0.79 1.09 0.85 0.73 0.74 0.64 0.63 0.51 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 Calendar Year Accident Rate per 100,000 hours Fatal Accident Rate per 100,000 hours *Rates estimated using flight hours from the FAA s GA & Part 135 Activity Survey 4
Accident Rate Current Accident Rates vs. IHST Goal 12.00 10.00 8.00 8.96 9.97 9.60 6.00 4.00 2.00 0.00 6.67 6.05 5.27 5.06 4.10 4.47 4.44 3.94 3.68 IHST s U.S. Goal by 2016: 1.8 accidents per 100,000 flight hours 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 Calendar Year Accident Rate per 100,000 hours 5
Measuring Significance of Improvements 5 Year Snapshots by Month Plotted average accidents by month 2001-2005 Superimposed lines for 2 x standard deviation Observed progress based on 5 year increments Plotted 2006-2010 Plotted 2011-2015 6
Total Accidents Average Accidents/Month: 2001-2005 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 5 Yr Avg: CY01-05 7
Total Accidents Average Accidents/Month: 2001-2005 with 2 x Standard Deviation 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 5 Yr Avg: CY01-05 + 2 Std Dev - 2 Std Dev 8
Total Accidents Average Accidents/Month: Comparing 2001-2005 with 2006-2010 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 5 Yr Avg: CY01-05 + 2 Std Dev - 2 Std Dev 5 Yr Avg: CY06-10 9
Total Accidents Average Accidents/Month: Comparing 2001-2005 with 2011-2015 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 5 Yr Avg: CY01-05 + 2 Std Dev - 2 Std Dev 5 Yr Avg: CY11-15 10
Industry Sector Analysis 11
IHST Industry Analysis: 2000, 2001, 2006: 523 Accidents Personal/Private 18.5% Electronic News Gathering 1.7% Utilities Patrol/Construction 2.1% External Load 2.7% Logging 2.7% Instructional/Training 17.6% Firefighting 3.6% Offshore 4.2% Aerial Observation 4.2% Aerial Application 10.3% Business 4.8% Air Tour / Sightseeing 5.9% Emergency Medical Services 7.6% Commercial 7.5% Law Enforcement 6.5% 12
FAA Follow Up On Industry Analysis: 2010-2012: 411 Accidents Electronic New s Gathering 0.5% Logging 0.5% Firefighting 0.7% Air Tour / Sightseeing 2.2% Personal/Private 24.6% Offshore 2.2% External Load 3.2% Business 3.6% Utilities Patrol / Construction 3.9% Aerial Observation 4.1% Instructional/Training 19.7% Commercial 4.9% Law Enforcement 6.3% Aerial Application 17.0% Emergency Medical Services 6.6% 13
IHST Industry Analysis 2000, 2001, 2006: 84 Fatal Accidents Air Tour / Sightseeing 3.6% Electronic News Gathering 3.6% Personal/Private 22.6% Business 2.4% Utilities Patrol/Construction 3.6% Aerial Application 4.8% Logging 4.8% Offshore 4.8% Emergency Medical Services 11.9% Law Enforcement 6.0% Instructional/Training 8.3% Aerial Observation 7.1% Firefighting 8.3% Commercial 8.3% 14
FAA Follow Up On Industry Analysis: 2010-2012: 69 Fatal Accidents Logging 2.9% Air Tour / Sightseeing 2.9% Offshore 2.9% Business 4.3% Personal/Private 31.9% Utilities Patrol / Construction 5.8% Law Enforcement 5.8% Aerial Observation 7.2% Instructional/Training 7.2% Emergency Medical Services 11.6% Aerial Application 8.7% Commercial 8.7% 15
Accident Rate Estimates (per 100,000 flight hours) 2000, 2001, 2006 2010-2012 Personal/Private 31.99 Instructional/Training 7.84 Aerial Application 11.35 Helicopter EMS 3.70 Personal/Private 25.71 Instructional/Training 4.96 Aerial Application 16.99 Helicopter EMS 1.87 1. Flight hours from CYs 2000, 2001, 2006, 2010 extracted from FAA s GA & Part 135 Activity Survey. 2. Flight hours from CYs 2011 and 2012 estimated using historical flight hour increase of 3% per year over CY 2010 hours. 16
Fatal Accident Rate Estimates (per 100,000 flight hours) 2000, 2001, 2006 2010-2012 Personal/Private 6.27 Instructional/Training 0.60 Aerial Application 0.84 Helicopter EMS 0.93 Personal/Private 5.60 Instructional/Training 0.31 Aerial Application 1.46 Helicopter EMS 0.55 1. Flight hours from CYs 2000, 2001, 2006, 2010 extracted from FAA s GA & Part 135 Activity Survey. 2. Flight hours from CYs 2011 and 2012 estimated using historical flight hour increase of 3% per year over CY 2010 hours. 17
NTSB Findings from 2008-2012 NTSB Methodology Assigns multiple Findings to each accident Since 2008, each Finding uses a 10 digit Finding Code Each 2 digits in the code drills down to a more specific factor For example: 0303403582 03 03 40 35 82 Environmental issues Physical environment Terrain Snowy/icy Effect on operation Analyzed most frequently used Finding Codes Codes in place for 479 of the rotorcraft accidents from 2008-2012 May show best opportunities for improving safety 18
Top 2 digit Finding Codes Personnel Issues: Cited in 77% of accidents Aircraft: Cited in 71% of accidents Environmental Issues: Cited in 40% of accidents 19
Top 10: 4 digit Finding Codes 2 Digit 4 Digit Frequency of Use Aircraft Aircraft oper/perf/capability 43% Personnel issues Task performance 43% Personnel issues Action/decision 35% Environmental issues Physical environment 24% Environmental issues Conditions/weather/phenomena 19% Personnel issues Psychological 18% Aircraft Aircraft power plant 12% Aircraft Aircraft propellor/rotor 10% Not determined Not determined 9% Aircraft Aircraft systems 6% 20
Top 10: 6 digit Finding Codes 2 Digit 4 Digit 6 Digit Frequency of Use Aircraft Aircraft oper/perf/capability Performance/control parameters 41% Personnel issues Task performance Use of equip/info 30% Personnel issues Action/decision Action 28% Personnel issues Psychological Attention/monitoring 15% Environmental issues Physical environment Object/animal/substance 14% Environmental issues Conditions/weather/phenomena Wind 10% Not determined Not determined (general) 9% Personnel issues Action/decision Info processing/decision 8% Environmental issues Physical environment Terrain 8% Aircraft Aircraft propellor/rotor Main rotor system 5% 21
Recent Trends: 2012 closes poorly Oct-Dec 2012 Accidents 60% higher than same period in 2011 Highest Oct Dec total in 5 years Tied, 2nd highest Oct Dec total last 10 years Fatal Accidents 57% higher than same period in 2011 Highest Oct Dec total in 5 years Tied, highest Oct Dec total last 10 years Mitigation efforts by FAA, HAI, AOPA, and IHST Mass media effort in mid October after 4 fatal accidents in 8 days 22
Recent Trends: 2013 starts poorly January 2013 Record setting accident pace during first 9 days 7 accidents, 3 fatal accidents, 11 fatalities If sustained, pace was for 24 accidents, 9 fatal accidents, 38 fatalities Projection would have far exceeded highest total for any January the last 30 years Accident pace slowed during mid month Still projected to have a high total, but not record setting 23
What has changed? 5 years of steady progress Consistent improvement, despite lagging the IHST s desired 80% accident rate reduction 4 consecutive months of regression Especially concerning since we are in the traditionally lower accident months 24
Recent FAA Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO) Increased manual handling errors for Air Carrier pilots Effects of modern aircraft technology Pro: Enables precision, improves workload management Con: Continuous use can lead to degraded pilot ability to quickly recover the a/c from an undesired state Recommendations: More training on when to use automated systems More exercise of manual flying skills Lesson: Technology and Training must compliment each other Cockpit advances should facilitate (not replace) basic pilot skills/decisions 25
IHST Review 26
US-JHSAT: Past Efforts Data set NTSB Accident Dockets U.S. civil registered helicopters Type certificated (amateur built helicopters excluded) Includes Public Use and restricted category Total of 523 helicopter accidents analyzed CY2000-197 accidents (Report issued IHSS 2007) CY2001-174 accidents (Report issued IHSS 2009) CY2006-152 accidents (Report issued IHSS 2010) Compendium Report 3 year roll up/summary (Report issued 2011) 27
Standard Problem Statement (SPS) US Accidents by SPS Lvl 1 - Compendium Standard Problem Statements (SPSs) Level 1 Pilot judgment & actions Data issues Safety Management Ground Duties 37% 43% 73% 84% Pilot Situational Awareness Part/system failure Maintenance Mission Risk Post-crash survival Regulatory Communications 9% 9% 13% 20% 19% 28% 31% Safety Systems and Equipment Infrastructure Personnel - Non Crew 7% 5% 2% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% Percentage of Accidents (523 Total Accidents) Note: Each of the 523 accidents analyzed typically had multiple Standard Problem Statements. 28
Intervention Recommendation (IR) US Accidents by IR Lvl 1 - Compendium Intervention Recommendations (IRs), Level 1 Training/Instructional Data/Information 76% 79% Safety Management 64% Systems and Equipment 37% Maintenance 23% Regulatory 18% Infrastructure 9% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% Percentage of Accidents (523 Total Accidents) Note: Each of the 523 accidents analyzed typically had multiple Intervention Recommendations 29
Occurrence Category US Accidents by Occurrence Types - Compendium Accidents by Occurrence Category Data 74% LOC - Loss of Control 41% AUTO - Autorotation 32% SCF - System Component Failure 28% STRIKE 16% VIS - Visibility 11% ARC - Abnormal Runway Contact FUEL LZ - Landing Zone UNK - Unknown/Other FIRE EXTL - External Load AMAN - Abrupt Manuever CFIT - Controlled Flight into Terrain DITCH - Ditching ADRM - Airport ICE - Icing RAMP WSTRW - Windshear/Thunderstorm 8% 8% 7% 7% 6% 5% 4% 3% 2% 2% 1% 1% Less than 1% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% Percentage of Accidents (523 Total) 30
Loss of Control Details - Compendium Loss of Control Occurrence Category (227 Total Accidents) Note: 29 Fatal Accidents in Red, 198 Non-Fatal Accidents in Yellow PM - Performance Management 5 74 DR - Dynam ic Rollover 3 28 OL - Exceeding Operating Lim its 6 21 LTE - Loss of T/R Authority 2 21 EP - Emergency Procedures 6 17 INT - Interference w ith Controls 1 16 UNK - Unknow n GR - Ground Resonance TD - Tie-dow ns/hoses SP - Settling w / pow er 6 5 4 3 9 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 31
Intervention Recommendations - IR3 Top 10 from Compendium Report 1. Install cockpit recording devices 2. Improve quality and depth of NTSB investigation and reporting 3. Autorotation Training Program 4. Follow ICA procedures with confirmation of compliance 5. Simulator Training - Advanced Maneuvers 6. Personal Risk Management Program (IMSAFE) 7. Training emphasis for maintaining awareness of cues critical to safe flight 8. Better Mx QA oversight to ensure adherence to the ICA/Manual 9. Mission Specific Risk Management Program 10. Enhanced Aircraft Performance & Limitations Training 32
Current JHSIT Toolkits Addresses 8 of the Top 10 IRs Helicopter Flight Data Monitoring Toolkit Install Cockpit Recording Devices Training Toolkit Training Emphasis for Maintaining Awareness of Cues Critical to Safe Flight Autorotation Training Program In-flight Power/Energy Management Training ADM Training SMS Toolkit Mission Specific Risk Management Program Establish mission Specific SOP and Flight OPS Oversight Program Maintenance Toolkit Follow ICA Procedures with Confirmation of Compliance 33
From JHSAT to JHIMDAT Goals of analysis evolved in 2011 JHSAT complete: Identified problems and recommended interventions JHIMDAT initiated: Measure progress of implementation actions Economic realities = more resource constrained effort Economic downturn resulted in reduced industry participation Original meetings of once/month reduced to 3-4 times annually Detailed analysis on every accident not performed Time consuming process not feasible with more limited meeting times More strategic effort toward specific targeted areas Industry may need to lead in areas where deeper study is desired 34
Current US JHIMDAT Analysis Efforts Assess Progress by Analyzing Recent Years Data set from CY2009 2011 High level analysis has categorized: Industry where a/c is used Activity being performed when accident occurred Occurrence/Sub-Occurrence Code defined What Happened? Compare CY09-11 results to data in Compendium 35
U.S. JHIMDAT Future Efforts Targeted Industry Outreach ALEA Ag Ops NTSB Finding Codes Compare findings from recent accidents to Compendium Improved tracking of System Component Failures Classify system failures using established taxonomies Air Transport (ATA)/Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Update to Compendium, compare recent accidents 36
IHST Upcoming Action Items Launch Regional Teams North America Helicopter Safety Team (NAHEST) 37
Questions? 38
Back-up IHST Slides 39
US Accidents by Operation 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 2000 2001 2006 30% 20% 10% 0% Par t 91 Par t 137 Par t 135 Par t 133 Public Use Other 40
US Accidents by Mission 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 2000 2001 2006 0% Personal/Private Inst/Training EMS Obs/Patrol Air Tour Commercial Law Enforcement External Load Aerial App Business Firefighting Offshore Logging ENG Util Patrol/Const 41
Percentage of Accidents US Accidents by SPS Lvl 1 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 2000 2001 2006 20% 10% 0% Pilot Judgment & actions Data issues Safety Management Pilot situation awareness Ground Duties Part/system failure Mission Risk Maintenance Post-crash survival Regulatory Communications Safety Systems and Equipment Infrastructure Personnel - Non Crew 42
Percentage of Accidents US Accidents by IR Lvl 1 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 2000 2001 2006 30% 20% 10% 0% Training/Instructional Data/Information Safety Management Systems and Equipment Regulatory Maintenance Infrastructure 43
US Accidents by Occurrence Types 50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 2000 2001 2006 10% 5% 0% Loss of Control Autorotation System Component Failure Strike Visibility Fuel Abnormal Runway Contact Landing Zone Unknown/Other Fire External Load Abrupt Manuever Controlled Flight into Terrain Airport Ditching Ramp Icing Windshear/Thunderstorm 44
Loss of Control Details 20.0% 18.0% 16.0% 14.0% 12.0% 10.0% 8.0% 6.0% 4.0% 2.0% 0.0% 2000 2001 2006 Performance Management Dynamic Rollover Exceeding Operating Limits Emergency Procedures Loss of T/R Authority Interference with Controls Unknown Ground Resonance Tie-downs/hoses Settling w/ power 45