Civilian Helicopter Search and Rescue Accidents in the United States: 1980 Through 2013

Abstract

Helicopters are commonly used in search and rescue operations, and accidents have occurred during helicopter search and rescue (HSAR) missions. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the civilian (ie, neither Department of Defense nor Department of Homeland Security) HSAR accident rate in the United States can be established and if any common contributing factors can be identified. Searches of the National Transportation Safety Board aviation accident database, the records of major search and rescue and air medical organizations, and the medical and professional literature for reports of HSAR accidents were conducted. A total of 47 civilian HSAR accidents were identified during the study period. Of these, 43% (20 of 47) involved fatal injuries, compared with 19% (1390 of 7221) for US general helicopter aviation accidents, and 40% (105 of 260) for US helicopter emergency medical services accidents during the same period. Accidents occurring at night had a higher percentage of fatalities, 67% (8 of 12), than did those occurring during daylight, 33% (12 of 35). The majority of accidents occurred under visual meteorological conditions, but all 3 accidents occurring under instrument meteorological conditions resulted in fatal injuries. The total number of HSAR missions conducted annually could not be established. Although the overall number of HSAR accidents in the United States is small, the percentage of fatal outcomes from HSAR accidents is more than twice that for general helicopter aviation accidents, and is comparable to that seen in helicopter emergency medical services operations. Accidents occurring during darkness or under instrument meteorological conditions had a higher percentage of fatalities. A limitation of this study is that the total number of HSAR missions conducted annually in the United States could not be established, so an overall accident rate cannot be calculated. Further study could help to improve the safety of flight in the HSAR environment.