Focal Interest
Focal Interest
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Low-level helicopter flights have higher fatality proportion in Part 91 operations

A blue and white helicopter hovers at low altitude above a plowed field with green corn crops visible in the background under a cloudy sky.
Research area:AeronauticsAerospace EngineeringAerospace and Aviation Technology

What the study found

Fatal accidents made up a larger share of low-level helicopter flights under Federal Aviation Regulations Part 91, General Aviation, than under Part 137, aerial application or agricultural flights. The study also found that total flight hours were not a significant factor in estimating fatality.

Why the authors say this matters

The authors conclude that low-level helicopter operations carry safety concerns because there is less time and space for emergency landing at low altitude, and they recommend simulator training in low-altitude autorotations, especially for Part 91 operations. Autorotation is an emergency helicopter maneuver used to help land after engine power is lost.

What the researchers tested

The researchers analyzed 403 helicopter accidents during low-level flight in the United States from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2022. They examined the most common causes and compared accidents by type of flight operation, and they used logistic regression analysis while controlling for other factors.

What worked and what didn't

The proportion of fatal accidents was 30% in Part 91 operations and 12% in Part 137 operations. Logistic regression showed that fatal accidents were significantly more likely in Part 91 operations, while total flight hours was not a significant predictor of fatality.

What to keep in mind

The abstract does not describe detailed limitations beyond the scope of the accident set studied. The findings apply to low-level helicopter accidents in the United States during the study period.

Key points

  • The study analyzed 403 U.S. helicopter accidents during low-level flight from 2009 to 2022.
  • Fatal accidents were 30% of Part 91 low-level flights and 12% of Part 137 low-level flights.
  • Logistic regression found fatal accidents were significantly more likely in Part 91 operations.
  • Total flight hours was not a significant predictor of fatality.
  • The authors recommend simulator training in low-altitude autorotations, especially for Part 91 operations.

Disclosure

Research title:
Low-level helicopter flights have higher fatality proportion in Part 91 operations
Authors:
Alex de Voogt, Teck Chen Koh, Yi Lu
Institutions:
Drew University
Publication date:
2026-04-07
DOI:
10.3390/safety12020048
OpenAlex record:
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AI provenance: This post was generated by OpenAI. The original authors did not write or review this post.

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