Masters Theses

Date of Award

5-1996

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Aviation Systems

Major Professor

Ralph D. Kimberlin

Committee Members

Frank Collins, Ted Paludan

Abstract

Helicopters have become a vital means of transportation today. Unfortunately, as the number of helicopter operations have increased so have the number of accidents. Most of these accidents are the result of inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). The purpose of this study is to find out why these accidents happened and how they can be prevented in the future. This study included a review of all pilot error helicopter accidents from 1979 until 1994. Findings showed that most of the inadvertent IMC accidents where the result of spatial disorientation and/or collisions with obstacles. To get to the root causes of the accident certain areas were investigated. These areas include: human factors of helicopter flight, pilot training methodology, and the National Airspace System. Human factors such as fatigue, stress, and workload play a significant role in these accidents. Pilots that are fatigued and stressed for whatever reasons often find it difficult to make decisions concerning the flight. Another root cause of these types of accidents is inadequate pilot training. Effective helicopter pilot training in the United States is minimal. Helicopter pilots are not being trained to deal with the challenges of helicopter flight. Over the past few years. programs have been developed to help increase pilot situational awareness. Unfortunately these programs are costly and are not offered to all helicopter pilots. Finally, the National Airspace System was created for fixed wing airplanes. As the complexity and needs of the airplane have changed, so has the National Airspace System, but not for the benefit of helicopters. For the last 50 years, regulations for helicopters and helicopter operations have not change significantly, while helicopters have improved. Included in the National Airspace System are such topics as: weather minimums. navigational aids, radio communication, and aircraft certification. Until changes are made to this current system, the accident rate may not decrease.

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