Page 8 - World Airnews Magazine March 2021

AFRICA

UGANDAN MILITARY

HELICOPTER CRASH

it could have suffered mechanical failure, “Investigations are ongoing to determine
security sources told local media at the time. the cause of the crash. However, prelimi-

he Uganda People’s Defence Force The incident came on the back of an ear- nary reports indicate that it was due to a
T(UPDF) lost an AB 206 helicopter in lier accident when four Ugandan soldiers mechanical failure,” the AU mission said.
a recent crash that killed one of the pilots. were injured in a helicopter crash in Soma- Last year in January, another UPDF AB
The aircraft (serial AF-317, msn 8492) lia. The African Union mission there said 206 helicopter crashed during a training

crashed in Entebbe, killing one pilot and the helicopter was supporting troops in mission in Bulo in Gomba district. The
seriously injured the other. the Lower Shabelle region when it crashed pilot and the cadet pilot were both killed

The aircraft was on a training flight when soon after take-off in Balidogle. in the crash. Q
FATAL HELICOPTER ACCIDENTS
DOWN 20% IN 2020

and effective use of technology.” accidents compared to 2019, 36% de-
Preliminary data shows 94 total US crease in accidents compared to 2013
he helicopter industry record- helicopter accidents in 2020 compared • 2019: 121 accidents, 24 fatal acci-

Ted another year of decreasing to 121 accidents the year before. There dents, 51 fatalities
accidents, with the number of fatal acci- also were 19 fatal accidents in 2020 • 2018: 122 accidents, 24 fatal acci-

dents dropping by more than 20%, and compared to 24 fatal accidents in 2019. dents, 55 fatalities

a 2.6% reduction in the total accident Comparing 2020 to 2013 (when the • 2013: 146 accidents, 30 fatal acci-

rate (per 100,000 flight hours). USHST was officially formed), fatal acci- dents, 62 fatalities

“Our numbers are improving, but dents are down by more than 35%. The “Having these statistics continue to

we’re not where we want to be yet,” fatal accident rate, however, for the prior move in a good direction is a positive

said Nick Mayhew, industry co-chair of five-year span continued to creep upward. and I applaud my colleagues for all
the US Helicopter Safety Team (USHST). A bright spot during 2020 occurred they do each day to make our industry

“We know our aircraft are sound and late in the year when the US helicopter safer,” Mayhew said.

safe, thanks to efforts by manufacturers. community went a record 107 days “But we can do better. Zero fatalities
The vast majority of accidents result - Aug. 25 to Dec 9 - without a fatal remain our goal. Here at USHST, we con-

from human error. Therefore, pilots and accident, officials reported. tinue to work on safety enhancements

operators must continue to strengthen Total 2020 US Helicopter Accidents based on the accidents we have analysed

our safety programmes holistically, im- • 2020: 94 accidents, 19 fatal acci- and we’re regularly developing safety

proving training programs, safety culture dents, 35 fatalities, 22% decrease in materials to support this effort.” Q
World Airnews | March 2021
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