HeliOffshore publishes Seventh Annual Industry Safety Performance Report
HeliOffshore is pleased today to publish its 7th Annual Industry Safety Performance Report, covering the period 2013-2024.
The report compiles data gathered from operators, OEMs, and industry bodies, combined with information from partner agencies and regulators—and is the only report providing a global perspective on the safety performance of the offshore aviation industry over the last 12 years.
The latest data highlights the need to take deliberate and determined action to eliminate the most common accident types.
In the 5-years from 2020-2024, Western OEM helicopters transporting passengers for the offshore energy industry suffered 19 accidents, 10 of which were fatal, resulting in 27 fatalities. This gives an estimated 5-year industry fatal accident rate for Western OEM helicopters of 3.36 per million flight hours or 1.47 per million sectors.
In 2024, the sector saw 2 confirmed accidents, both of which were fatal, resulting in 9 lives lost.
The report identifies trends in accident data to focus industry-wide efforts on the most pressing challenges. The three most common causes of fatal accidents from 2013 – 2024 remain: the loss of control in flight (LOC-I); controlled flight into terrain or water (CFIT); and system or component failure or malfunction (SCF).
HeliOffshore, together with its members, continues to prioritise work to address the most common occurrence categories of fatal accidents. The association recently launched an updated version of its Safety Performance Model, the framework underpinning its strategy, to reflect the latest data and identify opportunities for organisations to implement Accident Prevention Goals that address critical Accident Events.
Commenting on the results of the report, Dr Matthew Greaves, HeliOffshore’s Safety Intelligence Programme Director, said: “The data in this latest report reveals a clear picture: there is more work we can and must do to meet our critical mission of ensuring no lives are lost in offshore aviation. We must commit to safety actions that address the most common accident events and continue to innovate courageously as we seek to drive improvements in the industry’s safety performance”.
Tim Rolfe, Chief Executive Officer, HeliOffshore, added: “Each year, the safety data we collect presents us with opportunity to challenge ourselves. Where does your own safety performance sit against these statistics? Where would you like it to be? I ask everyone to consider what you will do personally as a result of reading this latest report. The one action that is not acceptable, is to do nothing. We have much more to do. Only together, will we meet our mission”.
The data in this report will be presented and discussed at HeliOffshore’s upcoming Conference & AGM in Athens.
To read the full Industry Safety Performance Report, visit HeliOffshore Industry Report (helioffshore-industry-report.org).