With helicopters used for a wide variety of purposes, from holiday sightseeing on a chartered flight to emergency evacuations after disasters, the accident rate increases steadily each year, and when a helicopter crashes, people on board almost always suffer life-threatening injuries.
Whether a helicopter is used for private transportation, military maneuvers, air ambulance, traffic news, or transportation to an offshore location, every flight will require a competent pilot and a well-functioning aircraft.
Victims and loved ones have the right to file claims for economic and non-economic damages in case the helicopter does not arrive at its destination safely. Some typical factors that often contribute to helicopter accidents include:
- Pilot Error. Most helicopter accidents involve some form of pilot error in judgment made by the pilot during different phases of flight operations. These errors can include loss of aircraft control, failure to recognize a potential crash situation, improper training, flying under the influence, being distracted, or being overtired. Pilots may also put profits above safety, agreeing to fly despite adverse weather conditions.
- Mechanical failures and poor maintenance. Helicopters are highly sophisticated machinery with components and systems that match their complexity. Malfunctions in the engine, transmission, rotor system, or other critical parts are highly likely to cause accidents, and when paired with improper maintenance, the outcomes are grim. Moreover, owners may attempt to reduce costs by outsourcing maintenance to mechanics who do not have experience or knowledge of this type of aircraft. If a crash occurs, an injury lawyer can assess who is liable for quality control, regular maintenance, and routine inspections and uncover if an unsafe or untested craft was put in service.
- Manufacturer defects. All helicopters must be designed and constructed centering around pilot and passenger safety. However, some helicopters are assembled with cheap or untested materials, while others can be flawed in design before their construction begins. In such cases, helicopter designers and manufacturers can be held liable for product liability claims.
- Component failure. Even if a helicopter has flawless design and assembly, the aircraft relies on many parts and systems working together. Any part replaced, installed, or fitted on the craft has the potential to fail, putting those onboard at risk during flight. Components prone to malfunction include electrical systems, seat belts, safety harnesses, and rotor systems.
- Fuel-related issues and loss of control. Running out of fuel or having problems during flight due to fuel quality can lead to engine failure, which can result in loss of power and control. Proper fuel management and monitoring can effectively prevent these issues and minimize the situation when loss of control occurs. The pilot may also be unable to maintain command over the helicopter due to other factors, like spatial disorientation, equipment malfunctions, or turbulence, leading to a critical situation.
- Weather conditions. Adverse weather factors such as storms pose a significant risk, causing turbulence and potentially low visibility. Pilots must be able to navigate challenging weather situations, and their failure to respond appropriately can result in accidents.
- Human factors and collisions. Issues related to crew coordination, communication, and decision-making are the most common human factors that cause accidents. Effective communication and teamwork are the basis of preventing misunderstandings or errors during flight operations. They can avoid collisions with other aircraft, obstacles, or terrain, including mid-air collisions, collisions with structures, or accidents during takeoff and landing. On the pilot’s end, avoiding collisions requires vigilant situational awareness and adherence to aviation regulations.
- Air traffic control negligence and FAA violations. Air traffic controllers are important in helicopter operations, as they constantly contact and provide necessary and reliable information to pilots. If an air traffic controller offered incorrect or outdated weather details to a pilot, wasn’t adequately trained on radar guides, or failed to provide a pilot with relevant updates before or during the flight, it sets the basis for an injury lawsuit. Violating aviation guidelines can cause or directly contribute to fatal air crashes and serve as a base for litigations. Other liable parties may be the helicopter pad owner or operator, airfield owner, or control tower operator.
- External factors and obstructions. External factors include wildlife strikes, encounters with power lines, or other external influences that can impact the helicopter's safety. Pilots must always be aware of their surroundings and take precautions to mitigate these risks during flight. It is also the pilot’s responsibility to prevent helicopter rotors from striking an object and the blades from contacting trees, radio, and cell phone towers or buildings. Helicopters flying too close to a power line, telephone wire, or cable risk entanglement with rotors, causing accidents. Entanglement crashes occur even when weather conditions are clear and likely involve pilot negligence.
