EMS Helicopters Have Twice the Average Fatal Accident Rate | Aviation International News

EMS Helicopters Have Twice the Average Fatal Accident Rate

Embry-Riddle research finds that helicopter air ambulances have twice the fatal accident rate compared with all other forms of air transport.

By Mark Huber • Contributor

October 11, 2021

Helicopter air ambulances have twice the fatal accident rate compared with all other forms of aviation per 100,000 flight hours. That’s the conclusion of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University researchers Richard Simonson, a Ph.D. candidate, and faculty mentors Joseph Keebler and Alex Chaparro. The three worked to identify the specific helicopter air ambulance crash scenarios associated with an increased likelihood of fatalities. The research, published earlier this year by the Journal Aviation Medicine and Human Performance, looked at accident records over a 35-year period (1983-2018) and found that flying at night, under instrument flight rules (IFR), and post-crash fires are all associated with a higher likelihood of fatalities.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

Business Aircraft Accident Reports: October 2026

Preliminary and final accident reports, October 2026

rural runway

NTSB: Citation V in Overrun Was Snow-coated, Overweight

Rejected takeoff initiated above the decision speed

A Citation V that slid off the runway in Pagosa Springs in 2024

Libyan Officials Investigate Latitude Runway Overrun

Three crew survived crash on empty leg charter trip from Istanbul

Misrata Airport Citation crash

NBC News Helicopter Crashes in LA, Killing Three

Helicopter was covering a fatal collision between an SUV and bus when it went down

Mayor Karen Bass speaks at a press conference near the scene of the crashes on September 15

Forgotten Safety Pin Preceded Gulfstream IV Excursion

Airplane veered into grass with no injuries reported

Screenshot 2026-09-14 at 8.07.17 AM

District Court Rejects Appeal of GARA-related Lawsuit

Plaintiffs argued that police aircraft are exempt from GARA statute of repose

Helicopter accident flight path

NTSB: Pax Safely Lands King Air after Pilot Collapsed

Pilot died of cardiac arrest during the flight

Teen Driver Breaches Fence, Hits PlaneSense PC-12 at KPSM

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

the pilatus PC-12 photographed on a ramp