Federal AviationAdministrationFederal AviationAdministration
National Helicopter Training Accident
Reduction Program
FAA FAASTeam
Presented at: Sun N Fun 2009
Presented by: Jim Lamb, FAASTeam Program Mgr.
Federal AviationAdministration
2Presentation Title – Helicopter Training Accident Reduction
Date: April 21, 2009
Federal AviationAdministration
2009
NATIONAL HELICOPTER TRAINING ACCIDENT REDUCTION PROGRAM
OBJECTIVE: Evaluate helicopter instruction accidents
and devise risk mitigation strategies to reduce these accidents
FAA SAFETY TEAM (FAASTeam)
Federal AviationAdministration
3Presentation Title – Helicopter Training Accident Reduction
Date: April 21, 2009
Federal AviationAdministration
Helicopter Accident Mitigation
• 2008
• FAA Safety Team given the responsibility to evaluate helicopter flight instruction accidents and
• Devise risk mitigation strategies
Federal AviationAdministration
4Presentation Title – Helicopter Training Accident Reduction
Date: April 21, 2009
Federal AviationAdministration
What was the basis for this program?
• Data gathered from 2006 and 2007 NTSB accident records revealed:
• In 2006, 155 helicopter accidents occurred of which 28 (18%) were training related.
• In 2007, 221 helicopter accidents occurred, 28 training related (10.4%).
• 2008 ended with 154 accidents with 32 (20.7%) being training related
Federal AviationAdministration
5Presentation Title – Helicopter Training Accident Reduction
Date: April 21, 2009
Federal AviationAdministration
When 2006-2008 data was compared with a 10 year accident summary (1997-2006) compiled by HAI, we found that accidents in 2006, 2007 and 2008 were just part of a continuing trend.
Federal AviationAdministration
6Presentation Title – Helicopter Training Accident Reduction
Date: April 21, 2009
Federal AviationAdministration
U.S. HELICOPTER ACCIDENTS
12-YEAR SUMMARY OF ACCIDENT STATISTICS
1997-2008
Federal AviationAdministration
7Presentation Title – Helicopter Training Accident Reduction
Date: April 21, 2009
Federal AviationAdministration
Helicopter Accidents / Instructional Accidents
Total Accidents Training Accidents
•1997 163 30
•1998 191 32
•1999 197 22
•2000 206 31
•2001 182 32
•2002 205 37
Total Accidents = 1144 Training Accidents = 184 16.1%
Federal AviationAdministration
8Presentation Title – Helicopter Training Accident Reduction
Date: April 21, 2009
Federal AviationAdministration
Helicopter Accidents / Instructional Accidents
Total Accidents Training Accidents
• 2003 214 43• 2004 180 42• 2005 193 46• 2006 155 28• 2007 221 23• 2008 151 32
Total Accidents = 1114 Training Accidents = 214 (19.2%)12 YEAR TOTAL=2258 TRAINING ACCIDENTS=398 (17.6%)
Federal AviationAdministration
9Presentation Title – Helicopter Training Accident Reduction
Date: April 21, 2009
Federal AviationAdministration
So Why Are We Looking So Closely At Training Accidents
Because history shows us that generally, we fly the way we train.
ESPECIALLY IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
Federal AviationAdministration
10Presentation Title – Helicopter Training Accident Reduction
Date: April 21, 2009
Federal AviationAdministration
Breakdown Of Past Three Years
• 2006, 2007, 2008
• Causal Factors
• Types of Training Events
Federal AviationAdministration
11Presentation Title – Helicopter Training Accident Reduction
Date: April 21, 2009
Federal AviationAdministration
SPS and Accident Counts by Mission
189
169
145
104 104
8376
6852 51 49 45
30 23149 108910131612
282737
6 4 350
2040
60
80100
120
140
160180
200
Instr
uctional
Pers
onal/P
rivate
Aerial A
pplic
ation
Em
erg
ency
Medic
al S
erv
ice
Com
merc
ial
Opera
tor
Law
Enfo
rcem
ent
Air
Tour/
Sig
hts
eein
g
Off
Shore
Exte
rnal Load
Busin
ess -
Co
ow
s A
/C
Aerial O
bs/P
atr
ol
Firefighting
EN
G
Loggin
g
Utilit
ies P
atr
ol
Mission
Fre
qu
en
cy
SPS Count
Accident Count
US Fleet– CY2000 Data
Provided by Mark Liptak
FAA Office of Aviation Safety Analytical Services.
Federal AviationAdministration
12Presentation Title – Helicopter Training Accident Reduction
Date: April 21, 2009
Federal AviationAdministration
2006 Helicopter Instructional Accident Causal Factors
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
1
Loss of Tail RotorEffectiveness
Mechanical
Low Rotor RPM
Loss of Control
155 accidents/28 training flights = 18%
Federal AviationAdministration
13Presentation Title – Helicopter Training Accident Reduction
Date: April 21, 2009
Federal AviationAdministration
2006 Helicopter Instructional Accidents Training Events
7%4%
0%
25%
64%
Take-Off
Enroute
Maneuvering
Hovering
Land
2006 HELICOPTER INSTRUCTIONAL ACCIDENT TRAINING EVENTS
Federal AviationAdministration
14Presentation Title – Helicopter Training Accident Reduction
Date: April 21, 2009
Federal AviationAdministration
TRAINING ACCIDENTS INVOLVING AUTOROTATION
TRAINING 2006ACCIDENTS
ACCIDENTS INVOLVING AUTOROTATION
TRAINING
Federal AviationAdministration
15Presentation Title – Helicopter Training Accident Reduction
Date: April 21, 2009
Federal AviationAdministration
2007 Helicopter Instructional Accident Causal Factors
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Loss of Control
Mechanical
Insufficient Rotor RPM
Improper Procedure
Unknown
Dynamic Rollover
LTE
Landing
221 Accidents/23 Training Flights = 10.4%
Federal AviationAdministration
16Presentation Title – Helicopter Training Accident Reduction
Date: April 21, 2009
Federal AviationAdministration
2007 Helicopter Instructional Accidents Training Events
35%
26%
17%
9%
9%4%
Autorotation
Landing
Cruise
Hovering
Maneuvering
Taxi
Federal AviationAdministration
17Presentation Title – Helicopter Training Accident Reduction
Date: April 21, 2009
Federal AviationAdministration
2007 Helicopter Instructional Accidents Instructor Error
05
1015202530
1
Total reportedinstructional accidents
Flight Instructor error asdetermined by NTSB
Federal AviationAdministration
18Presentation Title – Helicopter Training Accident Reduction
Date: April 21, 2009
Federal AviationAdministration
Weight & Balance
Exceeded2%
Improper Maintenance
5%Wire Strike
7%Component
Failure9%
Unknown11%
Engine Fail6%
Inadequate Preflight
1%Fuel
Exhaustion2%
Weather3%
Mid-Air2%
LTE2%
Loss of Control18%
CFIT19%
Inadequate Supervision
CFI13%
Loss of Control
CFIT
Inadequate SupervisionCFI
Unknown
Component Failure
Wire Strike
Improper Maintenance
Engine Fail
Weather
Fuel Exhaustion
Federal AviationAdministration
19Presentation Title – Helicopter Training Accident Reduction
Date: April 21, 2009
Federal AviationAdministration
2009 Accident Flight Events
0
10
20
30
40
Total Events
Runup
Taxi
Hover
Takeoff/Climb
Autorotation
Pinnacle
Maneuver
Cruise
Land
AG Operation
Long-Line Lift
Maint. Test Flt
2008
Federal AviationAdministration
20Presentation Title – Helicopter Training Accident Reduction
Date: April 21, 2009
Federal AviationAdministration
2008
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Total Events Training With CFI CFI Error
Flt vs Training eventsRunup
Taxi
Hover
Takeoff/Climb
Autorotation
Pinnacle
Maneuver
Cruise
Land
AG Operation
Long-Line Lift
Maint. Test Flt
Unknown
Federal AviationAdministration
22Presentation Title – Helicopter Training Accident Reduction
Date: April 21, 2009
Federal AviationAdministration
Flight Instructor – Helicopter PTS
Available for Helicopter Pilot and Helicopter Flight Instructor certification.
Designed to evaluate competency in both knowledge and skill.
Establishes minimum standards for satisfactory completion of the practical test.
Federal AviationAdministration
23Presentation Title – Helicopter Training Accident Reduction
Date: April 21, 2009
Federal AviationAdministration
•Although training materials are available from many different sources, most are based on the FAA Flying Handbook.
•The next revision of the Rotorcraft Flying Handbook is in the final stages of completion.
Federal AviationAdministration
24Presentation Title – Helicopter Training Accident Reduction
Date: April 21, 2009
Federal AviationAdministration
Few Changes To Regulatory Requirements For Instructor
Certification
• A pilot seeking a Helicopter Flight Instructor Rating is required:
• Hold either a Commercial Pilot certificate or Airline Transport Pilot certificate (Minimum of 150 hrs flight time)
• Pass the required practical test
Federal AviationAdministration
25Presentation Title – Helicopter Training Accident Reduction
Date: April 21, 2009
Federal AviationAdministration
• Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701–44703, 44707, 44709–44711, 45102–45103, 45301–45302.
• Source: Docket No. 25910, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997, unless otherwise noted.
• Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 73—Robinson R–22/R–44 Special Training and Experience Requirements
Robinson Helicopter were instrumental in developing SFAR 73 but training accidents occur
in all makes/models of helicopters.
Federal AviationAdministration
26Presentation Title – Helicopter Training Accident Reduction
Date: April 21, 2009
Federal AviationAdministration
Risk Assessment
• NTSB determined the majority of rotorcraft training accidents when a CFI was present resulted from the instructor’s failure to intercede quickly enough.
• Accidents consistently resulted from a narrow range of training events that often involved autorotation.
Federal AviationAdministration
27Presentation Title – Helicopter Training Accident Reduction
Date: April 21, 2009
Federal AviationAdministration
Risk Assessment
• Accident records indicate that this accident trend has been occurring at the current rate for over twelve years in all areas of flight.
91 HEMS7%
135 HEMS4%
FAR 1335%
FAR 13710%
91 Instruction17%
FAR 9157%
2008
Federal AviationAdministration
28Presentation Title – Helicopter Training Accident Reduction
Date: April 21, 2009
Federal AviationAdministration
2008 Risk Matrix For All Helicopter Accidents
As an industry, helicopter operator’s likelihood of an unwanted
event is probable. The severity of those events can be high with substantial damage to aircraft, serious injury or loss of life.
Federal AviationAdministration
29Presentation Title – Helicopter Training Accident Reduction
Date: April 21, 2009
Federal AviationAdministration
Where do we start?
I L C
ndustry evel
ommittee
Industry experts asked to review accident statistics and identify causal factors.
Helicopter Manufacturers, Training Facilities, Helicopter Operators, and Special Use Entities
Federal AviationAdministration
30Presentation Title – Helicopter Training Accident Reduction
Date: April 21, 2009
Federal AviationAdministration
The First Step Toward A Safer Future
The ILC Was Held In Kansas City, Missouri
March 17 & 18, 2009.
Federal AviationAdministration
31Presentation Title – Helicopter Training Accident Reduction
Date: April 21, 2009
Federal AviationAdministration
A COMBINED EFFORT
• Hosted by FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam)
• Attended by 37 Industry representatives
• 10 FAA District, Region, and National personnel
Federal AviationAdministration
32Presentation Title – Helicopter Training Accident Reduction
Date: April 21, 2009
Federal AviationAdministration
ILC TEAM :
• FAA SAFETY TEAM
• TRAINING PROVIDERS
• MAINTENANCE PROVIDERS
• HEMS OPERATORS
• STATE AERONAUTICAL DIVISIONS
• INSURANCE PROVIDERS
• LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES
Federal AviationAdministration
33Presentation Title – Helicopter Training Accident Reduction
Date: April 21, 2009
Federal AviationAdministration
• INTERNATIONAL HELICOPTER SAFETY TEAM (IHST)
• AIRBORNE LAW ENFORCEMENT (ALEA)
• COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION OF MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION SERVICES (CAMTS)
• NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF AIRCRAFT & COMMUNICATION SUPPLIER (NAACS)
Federal AviationAdministration
34Presentation Title – Helicopter Training Accident Reduction
Date: April 21, 2009
Federal AviationAdministration
ILC RESULTS
• IDENTIFIED TRAINING PROBLEMS NEEDING CHANGE:
• Training Recurrency
• Flight Instructor Training, Intervention Techniques, Testing, and Required Experience
• Crew Training
• Night Emergency Procedures
Federal AviationAdministration
35Presentation Title – Helicopter Training Accident Reduction
Date: April 21, 2009
Federal AviationAdministration
• Increased Use of Simulator Training
• Training Requirement For Helicopter Operators
• Maintenance Training
• Night Vision Training
• And Many More
Federal AviationAdministration
36Presentation Title – Helicopter Training Accident Reduction
Date: April 21, 2009
Federal AviationAdministration
WHAT HAPPENS NOW?• Each Agenda Item Will Be Addressed.
• If the item is outside of the FAASTeam’s area of responsibility, it will be forwarded to the proper FAA department.
• New training programs will be developed utilizing Industry input.
Federal AviationAdministration
37Presentation Title – Helicopter Training Accident Reduction
Date: April 21, 2009
Federal AviationAdministration
2009 National Plan
• Develop safety materials that will encourage Helicopter Training Providers to develop RISK ASSESSMENT programs.
• Risk Assessment programs will aid in identifying helicopter training hazards and practices before accidents can occur.
Federal AviationAdministration
38Presentation Title – Helicopter Training Accident Reduction
Date: April 21, 2009
Federal AviationAdministration
CFI WORKSHOP LESSON PLANS
• Helicopter CFI lesson plans will be included in the National CFI Workshop program.
• The lesson plans will be based on accident information and input captured during the Industry Committee Meeting with a focus on…..
Federal AviationAdministration
39Presentation Title – Helicopter Training Accident Reduction
Date: April 21, 2009
Federal AviationAdministration
• Training procedures to include:
– Use of simulators
– Recurrent training
– Inadvertent IFR
– Instructor experience and abilities
Federal AviationAdministration
40Presentation Title – Helicopter Training Accident Reduction
Date: April 21, 2009
Federal AviationAdministration
– Instructor intervention
– Night operations
– Night vision goggles
– CFI mentoring programs
Federal AviationAdministration
41Presentation Title – Helicopter Training Accident Reduction
Date: April 21, 2009
Federal AviationAdministration
Changes To FAASAFETY.GOV
• Adding links to the webpage for:
– Helicopter Training Programs
– National Industry Groups
– Adapting the webpage to be Helicopter User Friendly
Federal AviationAdministration
42Presentation Title – Helicopter Training Accident Reduction
Date: April 21, 2009
Federal AviationAdministration
2010
• 2nd National Industry Level Committee Meeting
• FAASTeam will report on action taken on 2009 agenda items.
• Review changes in 2009 accident data.
• Reevaluate mitigation strategies.
Federal AviationAdministration
43Presentation Title – Helicopter Training Accident Reduction
Date: April 21, 2009
Federal AviationAdministration
TEAMWORK
We all have the same goals………….
ACCIDENT REDUCTION
Federal AviationAdministration
45Presentation Title – Helicopter Training Accident Reduction
Date: April 21, 2009
Federal AviationAdministration
Thank you for your time and attention!!
Federal AviationAdministration
46Presentation Title – Helicopter Training Accident Reduction
Date: April 21, 2009
Federal AviationAdministration
The Central Region FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) is dedicated to Quality
Customer Service and we would value your feedback. Please provide your
feedback at:
www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/afs/qms