On April 10, a six -person helicopter, including the pilot, collided on a tour to see the city’s landmarks in the Hudson River in New York City, killing those on board. as Associated Press I mentioned that the National Transport Safety Council is investigating the cause of the accident.
The accident is, undoubtedly, tragedy. But if you have a helicopter riding soon, there is some important information that you need to know about the safety of the helicopter.
While the answer to the question, “Are the helicopters safe?” It is accurate, a quick look at accident statistics indicates that the industry has taken great steps in reducing risks for travelers.
According to 2021 data from American helicopter safety teamIn 2013, there were 146 helicopters in the United States in 2020, this number decreased to 94, which represented a 36 percent decrease in accidents. In 2013, these incidents caused 61 deaths, while in 2020, there were 35.
“The presence of these statistics continues to move in a good direction is a positive matter, and I construct my colleagues for everything they do every day to make our industry safer,” Nick Mayo, co -chair of the safety team from the American helicopter, shared in the report. “But we can do what is better. Zero deaths remain our goal. Here in USHST, we continue to work on safety improvements based on the accidents that we analyzed, and we regularly develop safety materials to support this effort.”
the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) explains that “the rate of helicopters was traditional higher than the aircraft incident rate, and perhaps due to the unique flying capabilities and landing capabilities in more varied situations than fixed aircraft.” He also pointed out that the experimental error can play a role, as the pilots try “helicopters beyond the limits of its capabilities or the helicopter capabilities.”
He added that the statistics of the National Transport Safety Council indicate that about 80 percent of all aviation accidents are caused by an experimental error, also known as the “human factor”.
In addition, FAA data shows that although the safety of the helicopter is improved, it is more dangerous in statistical terms than commercial airlines, as commercial airlines often report zero or close letters of zero in most years. This may be due to these experimental errors, but it is also likely to be due to very strict regulations and multi -pilots on most commercial aircraft, making an environment that controls much more than a helicopter.
But in particular, helicopters Increasingly equipped Through advanced aviation electronics, terrain awareness systems, and collision resistant fuel systems, all of which contribute to fewer accidents and deaths by removing the human factor.
If you are still interested in flying in a helicopter on a tour to see the city’s landmarks, it is good to dig in the safety protocols of each company, and if you are tense, ask about checks before the trip, weather assessments, and pilot experiences. And like a commercial plane, it is important for passengers to bear responsibility by listening with interest to safety surroundings before the flight, so in the event of an accident, they were prepared.
