How Secure Is Helicopter Travel?

High-profile helicopter accidents—like the devastating 2020 crash that claimed the life of basketball star Kobe Bryant and eight others in Southern California, along with a more recent incident this year where six passengers traveling from Palm Springs to Las Vegas lost their lives—prompt ongoing concerns about the safety of helicopter flights.

This is partly why new helicopter safety measures were integrated into a significant Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) authorizing bill signed by President Biden on May 16. The legislation enhances FAA oversight of sightseeing tours (a term for aerial sightseeing trips) and various commercial helicopter operations, as well as mandates upgrades to safety equipment and data tracking.

The latest helicopter crash garnered international attention due to the notable individuals on board, including Herbert Ogiwe, the CEO of a major Nigerian bank, along with his wife and son, as well as the former head of the Nigerian stock exchange. Tragically, both pilots of the Airbus EC 130 helicopter, operated by California's Orbic Air, also lost their lives.

Civilian helicopters are a popular attraction in numerous global destinations, and while such accidents attract significant media coverage, safety experts assert that helicopter travel has a commendable safety record, surpassing that of small private aircraft.

Should you really hesitate before booking that flight-seeing tour over a waterfall or a helicopter ride to the airport?

“It’s safe enough that when incidents occur, they become major news,” states John Goglia, an aviation consultant and former member of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). However, this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t question whether the crash could have been avoided,” he added.

Regarding the Mojave crash in California that happened earlier this year, it might be premature to draw conclusions: The NTSB has been examining the evidence at the scene, where the crash created a shallow crater and left a debris trail across a vast expanse of desert brush, but the investigation is still underway. A significant hurdle is the absence of a voice or data recorder on the helicopter, similar to the situation in the Bryant crash. Furthermore, both incidents share a common factor: adverse weather conditions influenced the pilots' decision to take off despite the unfavorable circumstances. The Mojave incident took place at night with poor visibility, partly due to what was described as a “wintry mix” overhead.

Initiatives aimed at enhancing helicopter safety

Travelers need not fear flying in helicopters; however, according to Goglia, he quickly noted that additional measures can be implemented to enhance safety within this segment of the aviation industry.

In recent years, the NTSB has advocated for increased federal regulation of the helicopter tour sector due to a series of flight-seeing incidents, including a helicopter crash in New York City in March 2018 that resulted in the deaths of all five tourists on board. The operator of that flight was subsequently cited for unsafe practices, such as a defective passenger restraint system that hindered escape when the aircraft went down in the East River.

In 2019, a helicopter crashed into a mountaintop during a tour over the Hawaiian island of Kaua‘i, claiming the lives of all seven people aboard. The itinerary for the Hawai‘i flight was meant to highlight the stunning Nāpali coast. Such tours are popular in locations like Hawai‘i because they provide access to otherwise unreachable sights. However, the rugged terrain and unpredictable weather can pose significant challenges.

Hawai‘i’s congressional representatives successfully advocated for the inclusion of air tour safety measures in the FAA bill that just passed through Congress. In a statement, Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) highlighted that Hawai‘i has recorded the highest number of fatalities from air tour accidents in the nation, with 85 deaths documented since the NTSB began tracking these incidents.

Some experts argue that rather than new regulations, the focus should be on improving pilot training.

“What we’re observing today involves numerous pilot-related issues, and it’s possible they aren’t adequately overseeing their operations,” Goglia remarked following the crash in February.

In both this case and the Bryant incident, he noted, “We have helicopter pilots who ignored weather signals to fulfill their mission.” The NTSB report on the latter incident revealed that it was caused by “self-imposed pressure” to complete the job, particularly when dealing with a high-profile client who is pressed for time.

The likelihood of being involved in a helicopter crash is quite low.

Statistics indicate that, in percentage terms, the chances of experiencing a crash are minimal. The fatal accident rate (the number of incidents resulting in one or more fatalities) for all helicopters in the United States over the last five years was 0.73 per 100,000 flight hours, according to a recent report by the U.S. Helicopter Safety Team.

In comparison, the fatal accident rate for general aviation (a term used for noncommercial or smaller private aircraft) was 1.049 accidents per 100,000 flight hours in 2020, the latest year for which NTSB data is available.

Safety experts emphasize the importance of differentiating between private helicopters, like those hired by VIPs for swift travel, and those that provide organized tours.

Not everyone is convinced.

Occasional travelers cannot be expected to possess extensive knowledge of helicopter safety regulations, which is a key reason for the recent advocacy for enhanced oversight of airborne group tours.

Some operators are proactively working to instill confidence in passengers. Numerous helicopter services in the New York City region, such as Blade, known for its airport connections and quick trips to popular weekend destinations like the Hamptons, claim to adhere to the highest safety standards, exceeding the basic requirements.

Nonetheless, some local lawmakers remain opposed. In 2019, a helicopter crashed onto the roof of a midtown skyscraper in Manhattan; while no passengers were on board, the pilot lost his life. Then-Mayor Bill de Blasio called for a complete ban on any helicopters flying over city streets. However, airport helicopters typically depart from riverfront helipads, away from the city’s towering structures.

Recently, the current mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, expressed support for a new type of helicopter: battery-powered air taxis. These eVTOLs, or electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles, are quieter and more fuel-efficient than traditional helicopters, and proponents claim they are also safer. However, since they are not yet in operation, it may take some time before any safety advantages are evident.

Indicators of safety

For those who still feel uneasy about helicopter safety, there are specific signs to look for when evaluating a helicopter operator. Companies should be transparent regarding their safety practices. For example, Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, based in Hawai‘i, prominently displays a “statement of safety” on its homepage, asserting that it exceeds even FAA safety regulations. This is the type of statement you want to see, especially if it comes with supporting documentation.

Additionally, there are important questions to pose to the operator, such as the length of time the helicopter you’ll be flying in has been in operation, the safety record of the aircraft, the pilot's experience (pilots should have several years of training and flying experience), the company’s accreditations and certifications, and the date of the last safety audit.

This article was first published in January 2020 and was updated on June 24, 2024, to include the latest information.