Inadvertent VFR flight into IMC weather and the resulting fatal accidents are not simply a problem for aircraft pilots, but also for those flying helicopters. In a news release, the US Helicopter Safety Team (USHST) said, “Between 2000 to 2019 in the US, there were 130 fatal accidents directly linked to the issue of spatial disorientation. These accidents occurred regardless of pilot experience and they cut across all industries, including emergency medical services, law enforcement, tour operations, utility flights, corporate flying and personal/private flights.”
US Helicopter Safety Team Issues Blueprint to Prevent VFR Into IMC and Spatial Disorientation
Key Takeaways:
- Fatal helicopter accidents due to inadvertent VFR flight into IMC and spatial disorientation remain a significant problem, accounting for 130 US fatalities between 2000 and 2019 across all sectors.
- These accidents are often attributed to poor planning, lack of understanding, and flawed decision-making, despite pilots having options to avoid hazardous weather.
- In response, the US Helicopter Safety Team (USHST) has developed a new Recommended Practices document focusing on "Spatial Disorientation Induced by a Degraded Visual Environment."
- This document proposes a shift in training and decision-making, emphasizing preflight planning, in-aircraft simulation of low visibility, and committing to instrument recovery techniques to reduce future accidents.
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