FIRE IN U. S. ARMY HELICOPTER ACCIDENTS, 1 JULY 1957 THROUGH 30 JUNE 1965,
Abstract
A statistical review is presented of 147 major helicopter fire accidents that occurred during an eight-year period. Ninety percent of fires in major accidents erupt on or immediately after the initial impact of the crash sequence. In 48% of the 106 survivable fire accidents, fuel spillage occurred. Fuel tanks and lines continue to fail and cause spillage. Twenty-seven (57%) of the 47 inflight fires for the eight-year period were classified as either precautionary or forced landings. Fourteen inflight fires were present in major accidents. Fires account for 10% of the major accidents and are responsible for 44% of the injured and 72% of the fatalities in all major helicopter accidents. Sixty-six percent of the occupants involved in major fire accidents were injured as compared to 11% in other types of major accidents. Thirty-five percent of the fire-accident occupants received thermal injuries. The occupant survival rate in fire accidents is 64% as compared to 98% for nonfire major accidents. Thirty-five fatalities, 18 in survivable accidents, have been attributed to thermal injuries. The cost of damaged and destroyed helicopters in fire accidents during FY 64-65 totaled eight million dollars. The total for the previous six years was 12 million dollars. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0658076
Entities
People
- Emil Spezia