USHST seeks safety advocates to join worldwide accident reduction efforts

The American branch of the International Helicopter Safety Team (IHST), the U.S. Helicopter Safety Team (USHST), is seeking more aviation safety experts to join its cause. The organization, which was formed to address the factors affecting what it described as an unacceptable civil helicopter accident rate, is also looking for a replacement co-chair following the retirement of Bill Chiles from Bristow Group.

In addition to industry associations, the following groups have partnered with the USHST: Air Methods, Bell Helicopter, Boeing, Bristow Academy, CAE/Flightscape, Dallas Police Department, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Life Flight of Maine, Prism Helicopters, Robinson Helicopter Co., Sikorsky Aircraft and Skytrac Systems.

The search for a new co-chair to join Jim Viola, FAA manager of the General Aviation and Commercial division, comes shortly after the USHST released data that shows civil helicopter accidents have trended down for the first half of 2014. There were 62 accidents in the U.S. from January to July 2014, down from 75 during January to July 2013. In addition, the first part of 2014 saw nine fatal helicopter accidents (resulting in the deaths of 15 people) compared to 18 fatal accidents over the same period in 2013 (resulting in 41 deaths).