Mark Huber is an aviation industry veteran who has worked in the flight training, aircraft sales, aircraft component, and airport development businesses. He has flight time in more than 50 different and diverse aircraft, including helicopters, aerobatic aircraft, vintage warbirds, jet fighters, business jets and turboprops, and transport-category aircraft. He has jumped out of several of these—on purpose—with a parachute. His defense and aviation journalism has been published in a variety of national and international periodicals.

Contributor

Mark Huber

The U.S. helicopter accident and fatal accident rates have fallen for the third consecutive year, according to data released today by the FAA. In fact, the overall accident rate fell to 3.19 accidents per 100,000 flight hours in 2016, compared with 3.67 in 2015.


The fatal accident rate fell slightly to 0.51 accidents per 100,000 flight hours in 2016 compared with a 0.52 rate in 2015. The rate is down from 0.65 in 2014 and 1.02 in 2013.


There were 106 helicopter accidents in 2016, including 17 fatal accidents. That is a 12 percent decrease year-over-year and a 27 percent decrease compared with 2013.


“The FAA and the helicopter industry have worked together to educate the civil helicopter community about safe practices, to drive these improved results,” said FAA Administrator Michael Huerta. “The FAA and the industry also are taking an active role in advancing safety through new technology, collaborative policy changes and proactive outreach.” In recent years the FAA has worked closely with the U.S. Helicopter Safety Team to promote various related initiatives.

News about significant aircraft accidents and information from accident reports.

U.S. Helo Accident Rate Down for Third Straight Year 

There were 106 helicopter accidents in 2016, including 17 fatal accidents—a 12 percent decrease year-over-year.

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News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Pilot died of cardiac arrest during the flight

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Vehicle also struck parked ground-support tractor; there were no injuries

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News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Six fatal accidents resulted in 22 fatalities in the quarter

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News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Twenty years ago, a business jet and commerical airliner collided; the smaller airplane survived

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News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

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NTSB: Pax Safely Lands King Air after Pilot Collapsed

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Business Aircraft Accident Reports: September 2026

Preliminary and final accident reports, September 2026

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Captain opted out of instrument approach over autopilot concerns

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Helicopter experienced a vertical hop for which the pilot didn’t know the recovery procedure

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