Rotorcraft
Low-Level Threats Remain to Safe Helicopter Flight
Helicopters spend the majority of their flight time at low altitude and wires or other obstacles can be difficult to identify.

Wire obstacles or strikes present a significant danger to helicopter operations, according to a recent United States Helicopter Safety Team (USHST) analysis into the dangers of low-altitude flight. According to the report, approximately 16 percent of all helicopter accidents have been attributed to wire or obstacle strikes. Seventeen percent of those accidents resulted in fatalities. Because helicopters spend the majority of their flight time at low altitude, wires or other obstacles can be difficult to identify, especially in poor weather.