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A breakdown of reportable accidents from 1996 to 2015 is provided in the following charts
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Figure 21: Breakdown of Reportable Accident Causes, 1996 to 2015
From 1996 to 2015, operational causes accounted for 40 per cent of accidents, 35 per cent were due to technical
failures and 25 per cent caused by external factors.
All of the operational accidents that occurred during flight were attributed to pilot error. Eighty-six per cent of the
technical failures were attributed to dynamic component failures (main rotor gear box, main rotor blade and tail
rotor). A structural issue accounts for the remaining 14 per cent.
For the 25 per cent of accidents due to external factors, all resulted from weather-related events, including four
lightning strikes and an encounter with a water spout.
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In order for accident events to be identified using a recognised international code, categorisation and causation follows
the International Civil Aviation Organisation/Commercial Aviation Safety Team Common Taxonomy Team Taxonomy.
Operational (F) = an event related to the helicopter while in flight or abnormal contact with terrain
Operational (G) = an event related to the helicopter while on the ground
Technical = an event involving system/component failure or malfunction, fire/smoke
External = an event involving icing, turbulence, wind shear, thunderstorm or bird strike
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