Why are their frequent crashes of military helicopters?

Question

I understand that some are hit by hostile fire, But many are reported as mechanical or pilot error.

I live in an area with loads of helicopter traffic: multiple overlapping police agencies, flights to oil rigs, private buisinessmen, some military, and (believe it or not, the largest number of helicopter flights around here is) the movement of cancelled checks from one bank to another.

In the 26 years I've lived here I can't recall a helicopter crash. So why are our people i n Iraq getting killed? Is there something wrong with the aircraft? Are the pilots not experienced enough?

We lost 13 soldiers this wknd and their not sure if it was fired on.

Whay are our people dying?

Answer 1

They are complicated machines and when something minor goes wrong, it can be catostrophic. If you lose coolant in your radiator while driving your car, you come to a stop and wait for a tow truck. In a helo, you fall from several hundred feet up up or more while doing over 100 mph. The helos in Iraq are in a stressful environment, so that can cause more equipment casualties. And remember, helos don't fly, they just beat the air into submission!

Answer 2

I'm a former Apache mechanic, and been in combat zones 3 times. Military helicopters are put through much more wear and tear than civilian birds. They are built to the same standards as civil aircraft. Bult by all the big names, Bell, Boeing, Sikorsky... The OH-58 is a Jet Ranger, same thing, just a few different parts. Army pilots are THE BEST helicopter pilots in the world, and so are the mechanics. And its true, the press thrives off the bad. Why is an airliner crash on the news minutes after it happens? Thousands of people get in car wrecks every day, but it doesn't get on the news. I'd feel safer in a Army helicopter than anything else any day. When you fly at 120 kts 50 ft off the ground, suck 20 lbs of sand into the engines when you land, deal with 130 deg heat, sit on the ramp fully loaded 24/7, get shot up, and flown like a fighter jet.... it wears on the man and the machine!!

Answer 3

A primary cause is the sand. Iraq is in a desert. The sand gets sucked into the engine of the helecopter and causes it to stall out and crash. Although I have not been sent to Iraq, I have heard reports that they try to ground all helecopter ops when a sand storm comes around to prevent the loss of lives and equipment. I have also heard that the sand is just as dangerous to ground vehicles (it clogs radiators causing over-heating, gets sucked into the air intakes, etc.). the sand is the main culprit, but human error can also play a part.

Answer 4

Helicopters aren't nearly as safe as airplanes. Also the military helicopters in Iraq have been getting way more use than was ever anticipated. The extreme environment causes accelerated wear and the equipment wasn't all brand-new to begin with when it got there. On top of that, helicopters are extremely vulnerable to ground fire. They are slow-moving, low-flying, big, noisy targets that are easy to hit.

Unfortunately helicopters are still one of the best ways to move men and materiale around in war and unfortunately the CIA taught the mujahadeen (which became Al Qaeda) how to shoot helicopters down during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, and they have passed this skill down to their fellow jihadi's and now-a-days RPG's are cheap and plentiful.

Answer 5

There are not frequent crashes. The media jumps on the infrequent. Considering the amount of flying time the military puts in, the risk is minimal.

Pilot error is a factor, i know from personal experience, but overall, flying in military helicopters is safer than driving a vehicle at home (statistically that is).

Answer 6

There are a lot more hours, more strain, and harsher conditions placed on Military aircraft of all types over civilian aircraft. And there is always a chance of human error on the pilot's or mechanic's part, just like for civilians.

Answer 7

ok, there arnt many Helo-Crashes. What it is is that the Mech's arnt doing their jobs and are missing small details that they shouldnt be. example, loose bolts that are near the Turbine, bad fule line, assortment of things could go wrong that shouldn't.

Answer 8

Environmental !!
The dust & sand plays hell with equipment.

Answer 9

Stress to do the job right.

Answer 10

there hasnt been one in a while. but other answerers are correct. the sand is a problem.