2007

HELICOPTER SAFETY ADVISORY CONFERENCE (HSAC) GULF OF MEXICO OFFSHORE HELICOPTER OPERATIONS AND SAFETY REVIEW

HSAC Members: March 18, 2008

Please find attached the Helicopter Safety Advisory Conference (HSAC) "2007 Gulf of Mexico Offshore Helicopter Operations and Safety Review". The membership support and response from 15 helicopter operators for this review is not only appreciated, but vital in establishing a meaningful report. Continued support is encouraged for the future.

The 2007 Gulf of Mexico oil industry helicopter accident rate per 100,000 flight hours was 1.70 with a total of 7 accidents (all single engine) compared to a 24-year annual average accident rate of 1.86. The fatal accident rate per 100,000 flight hours during 2007 was 0.49 with two fatal accidents (3 fatalities) compared to a 24-year average of 0.65.

During 2007, obstacle strikes on helidecks accounted for 3 (43%), improper pilot procedures accounted for 2 (29%), and 1 each tie-down and loose cargo accident (14% each).

In the last 5 years, there have been 46 accidents of which 16 were fatal (35%), resulting in 37 fatalities and 49 injuries. The leading causes, not all inclusive, of accidents in the last 9 years have been:

• 18 engine related
• 14 loss of control or improper procedures
• 11 helideck obstacle strikes
• 9 controlled flight into terrain
• 8 each tail rotor failure

HSAC has published a number of Recommended Practices to address these issues and they can be reviewed at www.HSAC.org. We are optimistic that by sharing this information with all operators and other oil industry group's, safety initiatives may be developed and implemented to reduce accidents and incidents.

Bob Williams

Industry Liaison Committee Member

GULF OF MEXICO OFFSHORE HELICOPTER OPERATIONAL DATA SUMMARY