Accidents involving persons during flights with an external load
What this relates to
A load that is attached to the helicopter on a transport line is referred to as an external load. An accident occurs and the external load injures someone.
Example
A helicopter is transporting cast iron pipes. The helicopter has already lifted the load by about one and a half metres, when all of a sudden a pipe comes loose from the stack of pipes on the floor and hits a labourer on the head. Why? The labourer had previously been requested to secure the pipes on the stack, but he didn't do it.
Commentary on the 2023 figures
Two people were reported injured during transport operations with sling loads in 2023, a decrease compared to previous years and compared to the five-year average of 4.2 per year. The hazard potential for people on the ground such as flight assistants and construction workers is relatively high. The risk is particularly high during assembly work and in rough terrain – even if everyone is wearing personal protective equipment, anybody not directly involved in the work must be sent out of the hazard perimeter and all precautionary measures must be taken. Further training and awareness raising are very important. For example, at the annual meeting in late autumn at which flight assistants swap information about the experiences they have encountered. Correct assessment and avoidance of hazard situations should receive special attention. Recommended value.
