The United States helicopter safety team (USHST) announced February 2 that recently updated rotorcraft accident rate data shows more of an improvement than what the organization reported last month. During 2014, the U.S. civil helicopter industry experienced 3.64 accidents per 100,000 flight hours, a 26-percent reduction compared with 2013 and 54 percent lower versus the 2001 to 2005 baseline helicopter accident rate.
Last year the industry recorded its lowest number of total accidents in 15 years. There was also a marked improvement in the fatal helicopter accident rate. The 0.59 fatal helicopter accidents per 100,000 flight hours for last year reflects a 42-percent decrease when compared with 1.02 fatal accidents per 100,000 flight hours in 2013. When fatal accident data is viewed against the numbers during the 2001 to 2005 baseline, the decrease jumps to 55 percent.