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‘Not A Poor Man’s Way Of Transportation’
Some Californians use helicopter travel to avoid the LA traffic. Moreover, helicopter charter services may appeal to clients who value time savings more than cost, ranging from technology executives in Silicon Valley to sports and entertainment personalities traveling within Southern California.
Unfortunately, helicopter travel can come with a far more painful cost, and in early 2020, a tragic accident highlighted the dangers of helicopter travel. Former Lakers star Kobe Bryant was killed in a helicopter crash that also claimed the life of his thirteen-year-old daughter. CNN reports that seven other people aboard were also killed, and there were no survivors of the violent collision in Calabasas.
It remains to be seen if helicopter demand will continue to increase in the months and years following this tragic accident. For many individuals, they must weigh the risks against the time savings when considering helicopter travel. However, higher demand has led to increased workload pressures for helicopter pilots.
As The Demand For Helicopters Rises, Pilots Face Increased Pressure
Helicopters that are used as “air taxis” require a certified helicopter pilot. This is a lengthy process that consists of knowledge tests, practical examinations, supervised flight hours, and ongoing medical certifications. The time and money required to acquire a helicopter pilot’s license create barriers for many potential pilots.
In early 2019, Vertical Magazine reported that the industry would face a shortfall of nearly 8,000 helicopter pilots through 2036. This could impact the helicopter industry and the availability of private services.
In the event of a shortage of helicopter pilots, private air taxi services may be limited to prioritizing emergency services, such as medical transports and search and rescue operations. But the time and money involved in becoming a helicopter pilot are just the first of many hurdles that helicopter pilots must overcome.
Once they become licensed and begin flying, pilots may encounter significant stress in their job. A pilot must maintain focus while a helicopter is in flight and is responsible for maintaining passenger safety. And in the case of private flights, passengers occasionally make demands that pilots must evaluate against safety requirements.
This is not a new problem. President John F. Kennedy’s sister, Kathleen, was killed in a private plane when it crashed after taking off in bad weather. Retro Newser reports that the aircraft was “battered by raging thunderstorms.” It has also been reported that the pilot did not want to take off, knowing the bad weather that was ahead, but was encouraged to do so by Kennedy’s traveling companion. The crash killed everyone aboard the aircraft. These circumstances share notable parallels with those surrounding Kobe Bryant’s death.
There, too, weather conditions affected the pilot’s ability to avoid a crash, resulting in the deaths of everyone on board the aircraft. The weather was, in fact, so foggy that the LAPD had already grounded its helicopters that same morning. It remains to be seen why the pilot pressed on under adverse weather conditions. This may become a significant issue in Vanessa Bryant’s negligence lawsuit against the helicopter company. Accuweather reported that the helicopter pilot had a previous FAA violation related to weather conditions, which might be relevant evidence in the lawsuit.
Understanding The Rate Of Fatal Helicopter Accidents
According to NPR, helicopter travel is more dangerous than general commercial aviation. For many years, the commercial aviation sector has had a fatality rate of zero. According to federal data, helicopter travel had a fatal accident rate of 0.72 per 100,000 flight hours in 2018. However, this rate is a significant improvement compared to previous decades. NPR also reports that the rate of fatal helicopter accidents has dropped in half over the past two decades. However, these numbers have been less impressive in recent years. The rate of fatal accidents rose in both 2017 and 2018.
Different types of helicopter flights have different fatality rates. Sightseeing tours, aerial observation tours, police flights, and news helicopters have the lowest fatality rates. Personal and private helicopter flights have the highest fatality rates: Federal data shows these flights accounted for just 3 percent of flight hours, but are responsible for more than a quarter of fatal accidents. Corporate flights and “air taxi” services are somewhere in the middle of helicopter fatality rates.
So, what can you do to help improve safety while you are a passenger in a helicopter? Here are a few things you can do to reduce your risk of being involved in a fatal accident:
Never Pressure Your Pilot To Fly In Any Conditions That Could Endanger The Flight
Your pilot will typically have more education, experience, and knowledge than you do when it comes to matters of flight. If the pilot has any concerns about flying, do not add pressure to take off. Whether it is a mechanical issue, adverse weather conditions, or any other questionable circumstance, it could quickly become fatal when you are off the grounds. Never pressure your pilot to take any action that he or she is not comfortable with.
Use Particular Caution When Flying In A Private Helicopter
According to NPR, personal and private helicopter flights have higher fatal accident rates than other helicopter operations. Hence, be mindful of this effect and exercise particular caution when riding in a private helicopter. Do not distract the pilot. Do not encourage the pilot to “make good time” or otherwise rush important safety processes. Let the pilot know that you are concerned about safety and want to promote any precautions that they think might be necessary.
Be Safe On The Ground
Helicopter safety starts on the ground. Learn how to approach a helicopter and engage in other ground protocols safely. Secure loose objects, such as hats and scarves, before you approach the aircraft. Never chase after loose objects while the rotors are turning. Never approach the tail of the helicopter. The tail rotor spins very fast, making it difficult to see, and it is also highly dangerous. Approach the helicopter only if directed, in the appropriate crouched position. Do not run. Stay in the pilot’s field of vision the entire time.
When you are exiting the helicopter, never walk upslope. This can put your head in contact with the rotor system at the upper part of the aircraft. This is also why passengers must not carry anything above their heads (such as an umbrella) while exiting a helicopter. Ask any questions you deem necessary to help support safety measures for everyone in and around the helicopter.
Your Legal Rights After A Helicopter Accident
Every helicopter pilot has a legal obligation to operate their aircraft in a safe manner. Those who fail to do so may be considered negligent, and the victims of this negligence may have grounds to seek compensation for the losses they suffer as a result of a helicopter accident. If the victim’s injuries were fatal, surviving family members have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Indeed, Kobe Bryant’s widow, Vanessa, filed a wrongful death lawsuit on the very day of his public memorial.
There are many potential defendants in a wrongful death or personal injury lawsuit stemming from a helicopter accident. The pilot can be personally liable for negligence, but the owners of the helicopter can also be held liable for allowing a negligent pilot to operate their aircraft. This is why your auto insurance must cover damages caused by another person who had permission to drive your car.
A helicopter company that employs a negligent pilot may also be held liable for their negligence. This is a legal principle that applies to all employers: if an employee is negligent while on the job, the employer can be held vicariously liable for the negligence and may be required to compensate injury victims for damages caused by the negligent employee.
Call Us To Schedule A Free Case Review With A California Helicopter Accident Lawyer
If you have been injured in a helicopter accident, you may want to consider filing a claim for your losses. Our dedicated personal injury lawyers in California are right here at Arash Law, ready to offer legal advice regarding your situation. Our accident attorneys have years of experience representing clients throughout California, including San Francisco, Riverside, San Jose, San Diego, Sacramento, and Sherman Oaks.
Aside from handling helicopter crashes, our personal injury and car accident lawyers also deal with other cases, including premises liability suits, dog bites, and wrongful death claims. Call (888) 488-1391 or contact us online to schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced California helicopter crashes lawyer.
