How safe is flying on a helicopter?

On April 10, a helicopter carrying six people, including pilots, during a stroll visit to the Hudson River in New York City, killed those aboard. As The associated newspaper Reportedly, the National Transport Safety Board is investigating the cause of the incident.

The accident, with no question, tragedy. But if you have the upcoming helicopter trip, there are some important information you need to know about helicopter security.

Despite the answer to the question “Is the helicopter safe?” In addition, a quick view of accident statistics shows that the industry has made significant progress in reducing risks to passengers.

According to data 2021 from US helicopter security forcesIn 2013, there were 146 helicopter accidents in the United States by 2020, the number dropped to 94, marking a 36 percent decrease in accidents. In 2013, the accident caused 61 deaths, while by 2020, there were 35.

“Once these statistics continue to move in a good way, and I praise my friends for everything they do every day to make our industry safer,” said Nick Mayhew, co-chairman of the US helicopter security team, sharing in the report. “But we can do better. Zero death remains our goal, here in Ushst, we continue to strive to improve safety based on the accidents we analyze, and we are constantly developing safety materials to support this effort.”

The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) explains that “the rate of accidents for helicopters is traditionally higher than the rates of fixed wing aircraft, possibly due to the unique capacity of the helicopter to fly and land in more varieties than fixed wing aircraft.” It also states that pilot errors can play a role, as pilots try to “fly helicopters beyond their ability or beyond helicopter capabilities.”

It added that the National Transport Security Board statistics show that about 80 percent of all flight accidents were due to pioneering errors, aka “human factors.”

In addition, FAA data shows that while helicopter security has improved, it is more statistically risky than commercial flight travel, with commercial carriers often reporting zero or almost zero accidents in most years. This may be due to pioneering errors but may also be due to very strict rules and multi -pilot crews in most commercial aircraft, making the environment more controlled than flying helicopters.

But especially, helicopters are more equipped With advanced avionic, field awareness systems, and crash -resistant fuel systems, all contributing to fewer accidents and deaths by eliminating human factors.

If you are still interested in flying with a helicopter for a sightseeing visit, it is good to dig into the safety protocol of each company, and if you are nervous, ask about their pre-debut checkup, weather assessment, and their pilot’s experience. And, as in commercial aircraft, it is very important for passengers to take responsibility by listening to pre-debut security briefings so if the accident occurs, they are ready.