Commercial Helicopter
Commercial helicopter tends to have the fewest total accidents compared to other operations. There were 35 total accidents and three fatal accidents in 2016 (Figure 4.1). The majority (77 %) were pilot-related with the remainder mechanical-related (Figure 4.2). 2016 had a decrease in both total and fatal accidents with fatal accidents reaching a 10-year low (Figure 4.3). Commercial helicopter accident rates show minor improvement in 2016 (Figure 4.4). The product of low flight time coupled with low frequency of accidents creates a fairly stable accident rate.
Part 137, aerial application, has the most accidents in 2016 at 21 (Figure 4.5). Part 135, charter or cargo, came in second for total accidents. External load, Part 133, had the fewest accidents. All operation types suffered one fatal accident. The majority of accidents occurred during day VMC conditions in single-engine turbine helicopters by commercial pilots.
