Helicopter safety is a frequent topic of online discussion, with some claiming helicopters are safer than cars. This claim often stems from analyses using a “death index,” comparing fatalities per distance traveled relative to airlines. One such analysis, referenced in The Points Guy, assigns a death index of 1 to airlines, 453.6 to cars/SUVs, and 63.0 to non-scheduled helicopter flights. This suggests helicopters are significantly safer than cars.
However, different methodologies yield contrasting results. Turbli, a turbulence forecasting company, uses data from the Department of Transportation (DOT) to calculate fatalities per billion passenger hours. Their analysis (Turbli Blog) shows 120 fatalities for cars, 296 for trucks, and 0.88 for commercial planes. This translates to a risk ratio of 136-336 times higher for cars and trucks compared to planes, differing significantly from the death index. While discrepancies might be attributed to variations in data collection (e.g., including airport time), the difference remains substantial.
Further complicating the issue is the variability in helicopter safety across models. An LA Times investigation highlighted the Robinson R44, reporting a fatal accident rate of 1.6 per 100,000 flight hours – 50% higher than other common civilian models. This equates to 16,000 fatalities per billion hours for the R44 and 12,000 for other models, a staggering 100 times higher than the car fatality rate. Such a stark contrast cannot be solely attributed to speed or data collection methods.
Ultimately, the question of whether helicopters are safer than cars depends heavily on the metrics used and the specific helicopter model in question. While some calculations suggest helicopters are safer based on distance traveled, analyzing fatalities per flight hour reveals a significantly higher risk, especially for certain models. The vast difference in fatality rates warrants skepticism towards claims that helicopters are unequivocally safer than cars. A more nuanced approach, considering specific models and flight conditions, is necessary for a comprehensive understanding of helicopter safety.
