The USHST is reaching more members than at any point in its history. All of us appreciate your commitment to helicopter safety!
If you are joining us for the first time, I encourage you to become a member, either via the Hughes App https://apps.apple.com/us/app/hughes-app/id1491944548 or https://ushst.org/join-ushst/.
If you join via Hughes App, you will receive your USHST membership card instantaneously!
The USHST is comprised of volunteers from all the different sectors of the helicopter community, both experienced and some just getting started. All are committed to eliminating fatal helicopter accidents. Our volunteers are from the helicopter OEMs, flight schools, FAA, NTSB, and industry advocacy groups, led by VAI—Vertical Aviation International.
Collectively, we have come together to reduce accidents in the helicopter community. USHST also participates in VAST, the Vertical Aviation Safety Team, which consists of international regional helicopter safety teams, including ours.
Monthly Summary
April Totals: 5 accidents, 0 fatal accidents, 0 fatalities
– For the first time this FY, there were not any fatal accidents/fatalities during the month! This is great work!
The five total non-fatal accidents during the month:
— Were distributed across five different industry sectors.
— Tied for the second lowest monthly total of the FY.
Marked only the fourth time in the last 44 FYs where 5 or fewer total accidents occurred during April.
FY26 Summary
FY26 Totals: 41 accidents, 11 fatal accidents, with 21 fatalities
Accidents (including both fatal & non-fatal accidents):
– The FY26 estimated accident rate for Oct-Apr was 2.41 per 100K hours (19% lower than the same period in FY25 and 28% lower than the 5-year average for the same period).
– Distribution of accidents by Operating Part so far in FY26:
— Part 91 – 68%, Part 133 – 5%, Part 135 – 17%, Part 137 – 2%. Remaining accidents: 7% operated as Public Use aircraft.
– The 41 accidents in FY26 have occurred in nine different industry sectors. The top three percentages to date were: 1) Personal/Private: 39%, 2) Helicopter Air Ambulance: 17%, 3) Aerial Observation: 12%
Fatal Accidents:
– The FY26 estimated fatal accident rate for Oct-Apr was 0.65 per 100K hours (18% lower than the same period in FY25 and 5% lower than the 5-year average for the same period).
– Distribution of fatal accidents by Operating Part so far in FY26:
— Part 91 – 55%, Part 133 – 9%, Part 135 – 27%, Part 137 – 0%. Remaining fatal accidents: 9% operated as Public Use aircraft.
– The 11 fatal accidents in FY26 have occurred in the following six industry sectors: 1) Personal/Private: 36%, 2) (tie) Helicopter Air Ambulance & Utilities Patrol/Construction: each w/18%, 3) (tie) Air Tour/Sightseeing, Instructional/Training, Law Enforcement: each w/9%
Fatalities:
– The FY26 estimated occupant fatality rate for Oct-Apr was 1.23 per 100K hours (32% lower than the same period in FY25 and 12% lower than the 5-year average for the same period).
– Through 7 months, 27% of the rotorcraft accidents in FY26 had a fatality (long term historical percentage is 17-18%).
– Distribution of fatalities by Operating Part so far for FY26:
— Part 91 – 62%, Part 133 – 5%, Part 135 – 24%, Part 137 – 0%. Remaining fatalities: 10% operated as Public Use aircraft.
U.S. Helicopter Safety Team (USHST) Calendar Year Metrics
The USHST’s 5-year goals for 2025-2029 are based on individual 14 CFR Operating Parts, tracked by the 5-year average fatal accident rates per 100K hours.
| 14 CFR Part | Baseline, CY2018-2022 (per 100K hours) | Goal, CY2025-2029 (per 100K hours) | Progress, CY2022-2026 (per 100K hours) |
| 91 | 0.81 | 0.73 (10% reduction) | 0.48 |
| 133 | 1.73 | 1.56 (10% reduction) | 0.95 |
| 135 | 0.33 | 0.17 (50% reduction) | 0.42 |
| 137 | 1.11 | 1.00 (10% reduction) | 1.05 |
USHST uses the following as conditions for the fatal accidents included in rate calculations.
- U.S. registered aircraft
- Operating in the U.S./U.S. territories (includes offshore)
- Not operating as Public Aircraft (public use)
A new VAI/USHST Campaign – It’s Okay to Stay!
The logic has been with us for a while—”Land & Live,” “56 Seconds to Live,” and now “It’s Okay to Stay” promotes go/no-go decision-making before takeoff—long before finding alternative solutions in bad conditions becomes necessary. The cost of a hotel or ride-share is nothing compared to the cost of an accident!
Please click on this link to find out more about It’s Okay to Stay.
COPTER Instrument Flight Procedures & Flight Plan Filing
IFR helicopter operators have long struggled to file instrument flight plans through EFB systems that include COPTER Departures and low-altitude ZK Routes, due to Specials not being contained in the 28-Day NASR file used by EFBs. The FAA was unable to implement this important tool at the January deadline. The USHST is focused on its successful implementation and will continue working with FAA leadership to see this through. Although still not available at this publication, we’ve been advised it will be available this quarter.
FAA Weather Cameras
The USHST has been invited to participate with VAI in a GAO (General Accounting Office) study of the FAA’s Weather Camera system. For the past several years, the USHST has advocated for:
- The FAA Weather Cameras reduce fatal accidents by 80% yet we have an insufficient, useable density of cameras in most of the United States, particularly in locations that have the highest number of fatal accidents & registered aircraft. More cameras are desperately needed to be effective.
- Expanded use of non-FAA cameras to supplement gaps and durability of the system.
- The FAA Weather Camera system should not be a project but a better funded and managed program in FAA Headquarters with 24-hour staffing.
- Improved communications for system maintenance, outages and connectivity issues.
- Use of the cameras for both Go & No-Go Decision making.
- Placement of cameras at non-heliport/airport locations, providing weather conditions in remote areas where helicopters operate.
- Inclusion of images in ADS-B IN
Kindly note – The Hughes App provides a free-of-charge FAA Weather Camera feed to the USHST and flying public . The weather camera locations are geo-referenced and available on various charts (VFR/IFR) and part of the VFR Prediction Tool. Please see examples below.
The HUGHES App – FREE Safety Tools – Stay Connected to the USHST
You can join the USHST and receive both a Membership Card as well as a free subscription to the Hughes App https://apps.apple.com/us/app/hughes-app/id1491944548
UPDATE! New and Improved Safety Features VFR Prediction Tool
The VFR Prediction Tool is now searching for Slacklines! Did you know there are over 7000 slacklines? Our search tool is fully automated, searching for weather, weather cameras, icing, NOTAMS and Slacklines along or near your proposed route. When Slacklines are detected, simply tap to see the details. You enter a latitude/longitude in addition to an airport or heliport identifier for more precise planning. We’ve also added the ability to draw your route directly on the map, which is especially helpful when planning local flights, sightseeing, patrol patterns, or training circuits
The tool also searches for NOTAMs along your route of flight, including those assigned to aerodromes you may pass near — not just your departure and destination airports. The HUGHES App is completely free and the only aviation application for Slacklines.
PLAN – BRIEF – DECIDE
PLAN – BRIEF – DECIDE + SLACKLINE AWARENESS
USHST Foundation – Peer Pilot Mental Health Program
The USHST PPP is an all-volunteer peer-based program where a helicopter pilot dealing with a personal or professional issue can speak with an industry peer volunteer regarding a non-life-threatening mental well-being concern in their lives. The volunteers are experienced colleagues who share and understand the helicopter profession, identifying with the pressures and risks both real and perceived, that both helicopter pilots and crew encounter. Completely confidential.
The program is at no cost to USHST members and does not involve the FAA, your medical, or your employer. NO cost, NO risk, and NO judgment. You can go directly to the USHST Peer Pilot Program Website – https://www.ushstpeer.org/ or reach us from the USHST.org webpage or through the Hughes App.
The FAA Rotorcraft Collective
The USHST and the FAA’s Rotorcraft Collective have been working on new videos to enhance helicopter safety. The most recent installment—Beware of the Green Dot Syndrome, featuring FAA DPE Matt Johnson.
Helicopter Safety Enhancements or HS-Es
A Summary Report can be found here https://ushst.org/h-se-details/
HS-Es are one of USHST’s cornerstone safety products. Each HS-E is a thoroughly researched document that is composed by subject matter experts to provide a depth of understanding about a specific topic. HS-E’s can also consist of white papers with recommended practices, calls to action, or videos, posters, webinars, or checklists. CFIs—these can be a great resource for your students! In each e-USHST newsletter, we will examine one of the HS-E’s from the USHST library. HS-E 23-01 Work Plan on Professional Preflight Planning & Go/No-Go Aeronautical Decision Making is the basis of It’s Okay to Stay.
Helicopter Safety Enhancement Work Plan: https://ushst.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/USHST-H-SE-23-01-P3-GADM-Workplan.pdf
Rotorcraft Safety Insights
The March/April 2026 issue of FAA Safety Briefing magazine focuses on the realm of rotorcraft operations. Articles in this issue focus on the real-world risks helicopters face, along with insights on the FAA’s strategy to improve safety in this dynamic operating environment. –
First issue of the FAA Safety Briefing magazine dedicated to HELICOPTERS!
Download the March/April 2026 issue
https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/faa-safety-briefing-magazine
The USHST Store – Get your USHST Merchandise
NEW ITEM! – “It’s Okay to Stay” USHST Carabiner & Bottle Opener – Just hang up your keys & relax
USHST In-person Safety Seminars – Honolulu & Phoenix
Who Said There’s “No Free Lunch”?
Apparently, they have never attended a US Helicopter Safety Team Safety Seminar.
Recent USHST regional safety events in Hawaii and Phoenix combined valuable safety education, industry networking, and socializing within the helicopter community — along with lunch.
In Honolulu, Nicole Battjes of Rainbow Helicopters graciously hosted the venue and lunch for attendees. Participants received presentations covering Inadvertent IMC (IIMC), helicopter tour operations, and current USHST safety initiatives and updates, while enjoying the opportunity to connect with fellow operators, pilots, and industry professionals.
In Phoenix, Mark Weglage of Salt River Project hosted the seminar venue and lunch, while also providing an informative presentation focused on drone operations and emerging integration challenges within the National Airspace System. The event also created an excellent environment for networking and strengthening relationships across the rotorcraft industry.
The seminars were collaboratively supported by Vertical Aviation International Board Members Chris Baur, Nicole Battjes, and Mark Weglage, demonstrating a shared commitment to advancing rotorcraft safety, education, and community engagement throughout the industry.
Hughes Aerospace Corporation proudly co-sponsored both events in support of advancing rotorcraft safety, operational awareness, and industry collaboration.
These regional seminars continue to demonstrate the strength of the helicopter community coming together to share operational experience, emerging technologies, practical safety lessons, and camaraderie — all while enjoying a good meal.
Please let us know if you’d like to host a USHST Safety Seminar at your facility.
FAA FAAST Webinars
If you don’t have time to attend an in-person event, the USHST hosts live webinars (that are also recorded) in the FAA FAAST network. We often collaborate with the Minnesota & New England FAAST Teams to present on USHST safety topics, where you can earn WINGS Credit. Drinking Coffee is NOT required.
https://www.youtube.com/@SaturdayMorningCoffeeAndWINGS
