I bring you a weekly bite-sized chunk of the science behind helicopter human factors and CRM in practice, simplifying the complex and distilling a helicopter related study into a summary of less than 500 words.
TITLE:
The potential of technologies to mitigate helicopter accident factors
WHAT?
This study from 2018 updates the status of 15 previously identified helicopter safety technologies, reviews their progress, and examines areas where technology alone cannot close the safety gap. It also highlights emerging safety technologies and suggests directions for future work under the European Plan for Aviation Safety (EPAS).
WHERE?
Conducted by the Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR), presented at the European Rotorcraft Forum in Delft, the Netherlands.
WHEN?
Published November 2018, following up on a 2014 study, and based on safety data from 2012-2016.
WHY?
Helicopter accidents are rarely caused by technology itself but it is often cited as a contributory factor when available safety technologies are not implemented, not trusted, or not fully integrated. Understanding both the advances and the limits of technology is essential to guiding future investment and regulation.
HOW?
Researchers reassessed 15 “highly promising” technologies identified in 2014, reviewed industry initiatives, and compared progress with safety concerns raised in EASA’s 2017 Annual Safety Report.
FINDINGS:
- Technological progress has been made: The 15 technologies (e.g., HTAWS, HUMS, video & data recorders, moving maps) have matured in the past 10 years and are increasingly present in modern fleets. Several new solutions (e.g. advanced harnesses for offshore passengers, emergency breathing systems, and autonomous landing aids) are also emerging.
- Some contributory factors cannot be effectively mitigated by technology. These include weak management processes, inconsistent regulatory oversight, and psychological-behavioural risks (e.g., stress, fatigue, decision-making under pressure). Technological advances in human factors monitoring such as pilot physiological responses (e.g. respiration/heart-rate) may offer advances in some of these but they are still operationally immature.
- Technology is itself changing the playing field constantly, making it hard to anticipate emerging risks, such as drone interactions, urban air mobility, or offshore wind-farm operations.
- Technology has delivered clear safety benefits, but its impact is constrained if not supported by effective management, regulation, and human performance strategies. The weakest links are now organisational and behavioural rather than technical.
SO WHAT?
The study recommends:
- Wider adoption of proven technologies from offshore across other helicopter sectors.
- More targeted application of technology to specific accident factors, especially CFIT, wire strikes, and loss of control. Analysis of human and organisational factors is key to integrating this and ensuring that training, management oversight, and regulation keep pace.
- Given rapid pace of change a proactive roadmap to anticipate and prepare for future risks, rather than relying only on past accident data to address yesterday’s problems.
The study concludes that while technology has progressed and reduced many risks, safety benefits of harnessing these advances will only reach full potential if management, regulation, and human factors evolve in parallel.
REFERENCE:
Stevens, J. M. G. F., & Vreeken, J. (2018). The potential of technologies to mitigate helicopter accident factors: Status update and way forward (NLR-TP-2018-470). Netherlands Aerospace Centre.
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