Are helicopter tours safe?

A helicopter crash in Hawaii on March 8, 2007 raises concerns about whether or not tour companies operate safely – and who is making sure that safety regulations are met. The helicopter accident occurred as it was returning to the airport at the end of a tour. It was just minutes from its scheduled landing when the pilot radioed that he was having “hydraulic problems.” The helicopter crashed at the airport killing four people including the pilot, and critically injuring three others.

In that report, the NTSB found that “the pilot’s decision to continue flight into adverse weather conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to an encounter with a microburst” was the probable cause of the accident. During that investigation, the pilot claimed that another helicopter was heading towards him, causing him to veer into the localized weather. Once in the storm clouds, the pilot lost all visibility and then lost power as he tried to descend and turn out of the weather. The surviving passengers did not recall the pilot taking any evasive actions, and stated that they simply flew straight into the clouds.

However it was not the crash that killed the three passengers; all three died as a result of “drowning-related” causes. The helicopter came to rest several hundred feet from shore during the accident, and all six people aboard put on their personal flotation devices (PFDs) and tried to exit the helicopter. Of the three who died, one did not make it out of the helicopter before it sank, one was found face down in the water (PFD failure is suspected), and one died of a heart attack due to near-drowning after being pulled from the wreckage.

The NTSB recommended that all tour helicopters flying over water be equipped with fixed or inflatable floatation devices to allow passengers more time to escape the crash, that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) evaluate the design and maintenance of PFDs on all tour helicopters, and that the FAA ensure that PFDs meet established requirements.

Helicopter accidents are usually no accident. A combination of company financial shortcuts and lack of government inspections can put your safety at risk. If you or a loved one has been injured while flying in a helicopter or other type of aircraft, contact Jim S. Adler & Associates for a free case assessment. We may be able to help you find out the facts behind why this happened to you, and get you compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and your own pain and suffering. Call us directly right now toll-free at 1-800-505-1414, or fill out the free case review form on this page. Find out how Jim S. Adler & Associates can help you get the settlement you deserve for your helicopter accident.