Issn Print: 0265-0215

Publication Date: 2010/06/12


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Comparison of helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) accident rates in different international air rescue systems: 13AP3–7

J. Hinkelbein; M. Schwalbe; H. Genzwuerker

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Background and Goal of Study: In comparison to the early years of Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS), both accident rates and fatal accident rates have decreased. Nevertheless, each year approximately 2 to 4 HEMS crashes do occur in Germany. To facilitate comparisons, “10,000 missions” or “100,000 flying hours” were common denominators. The aim of the present study was to compare crash rates and fatal crash rates in Germany to rates of other countries.
Materials and Methods: To retrieve published data on accident rates in different international HEMS systems, a Medline® search (http://http://www.pubmed.com) was performed using combinations of the keywords “HEMS”, “rescue helicopter”, “accident”, “accident rates”, “crash” and “crash rates”. Analysis was limited to the years 1970 to 2009 to facilitate comparisons. Data were compared on the basis of 10,000 missions completed and 100,000 helicopter flying hours. These data were allocated to the specific time frames.
Results and Discussion: Overall 14 studies were identified. Six studies (3x Germany, 2x USA, 1x Australia) analyzing HEMS accidents on the basis of 10,000 missions were identified. Crash rates per 10,000 missions ranged between 0.4 and 3.05 and fatal crash rates between 0.04 and 2.12. In addition, 12 studies (8x USA, 3x Germany, 1x Australia) used 100,000 flying hours as a denominator. Crash rates per 100,000 flying hours ranged from 1.7 to 13.4 and fatal crash rates between 0.91 and 4.7. Data and accident rates were inhomogeneous and differed significantly.
Conclusion(s): Published data of three countries were identified with the Medline® search. Data analysis was impeded by publication of mean data, the use of different time frames, and differences in the HEMS systems.
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