After allowing for activity levels, ATSB research indicates that
Robinson R22 helicopters have a similar safety profile to other
comparable helicopters.
This study was prompted by increasing concerns about light
utility helicopter safety in Australia. Light utility helicopters
make up half the registered fleet yet were involved in 72 per cent
of all helicopter accidents between 1985 and 2003.
The report compared accident involvement and accident rates of
four helicopter models; Robinson R22, Bell/Agusta/Kawasaki 47G,
Hughes/Schweizer 269 and Hiller UH-12E.
The Robinson R22 was involved in more accidents and fatal
accidents than any other light utility helicopter but also flew
more hours than the other three helicopters whose risk profiles
were studied. The Bell/Agusta/Kawasaki 47G model had the next
highest involvement in accidents followed by the Hughes/Schweizer
269 and then the Hiller UH-12E. However, when comparing the
relative safety of different aircraft models the best available
indicator is the accident rate per hours flown.
The overall trend in accident involvement and accident rate per
hours flown has improved since 1990 for all the light utility
helicopter models. The accident rate per hours flown for the
Robinson R22 model indicates that up to 2002 this helicopter's
record was as safe, if not safer, than other similar helicopter
models. Since 2002, the Bell/Agusta/Kawasaki 47G model has had the
lowest accident rate per hours flown.
For the combined period, 1990-2002, the Robinson R22 had the
lowest accident rate per hours flown of 1.8 accidents per 10,000
flying hours compared with the next lowest rate for the
Bell/Agusta/Kawasaki 47G of 3.1 accidents per 10,000 flying
hours.