Fire in U.S. Army Helicopter Accidents

Abstract

Abstract : This report is a statistical review of 147* major helicopter fire accidents that occurred during the eight-year period of July 1957-June 1965. Findings of July 1962-June 1963 are compared with those of the subsequent two years to show tabular changes of similar periods. Findings of the first six-year period of FY 58-63 were reported in an earlier USABAAR study, Accidents Involving Fire. The number of fire accidents increased during FY 64-65 from 94 to 147. During FY 64-65, fire was present in 15% of the major helicopter accidents, compared to 11% for FY 62-63. The fire accident rate per 100,000 flying hours ranged from a low of 1.25 in FY 61 to a high of 5.2 in FY 64. FY 65 showed a decrease of 4.3. Ninety percent of fires in major accidents erupt on or immediately after the initial impact of the crash sequence. Post-crash fires demonstrate the urgent need to incorporate recent advancements made in the technology of flammable fluid containment in Army helicopters. Seventy-two percent of the post-crash fires erupt in crashes in which the forces are judged to be within the limits of human tolerance. In 48% of the 106 survivable fire accidents, fuel spillage occurred. Fuel tanks and lines continue to fail and cause spillage. Twenty-nine inflight fires were reported during FY 64-65. Twenty-seven (57%) of the 47 inflight fires for the eight-year period were classified as either precautionary or forced landings. Fourteen inflight fires were present in major accidents. Fires account for 10% of the major accidents and are responsible for 44% of the injured and 72% of the fatalities in all major helicopter accidents. Sixty-six percent of the occupants involved in major fire accidents were injured as compared to 11% in other types of major accidents.