In 2012, there were 290 aviation accidents reported to the TSB, representing an increase of 13% over 257 in 2011, but comparable to the five-year average of 292. Aeroplane accidents occurred mostly on recreational flights (56%), then air transport (15%) and training flights (14%). Helicopter accidents occurred mainly on air transport flights (23%) and recreational flights (20%). There were 63 fatalities in total, down from the previous year’s total of 67. A further 636 incidents were reported in 2012. This is a 6% decrease from the 2011 total of 677 and a 21% decrease from the 5-year average of 808.

The following are selected extracts from this comprehensive report which are directly related to helicopters.  Further analysis, charts etc are in the full document

• The greatest numbers of helicopter accidents were associated with landing (33%) and manoeuvering (30%) phases of flight, followed by en route (23%) and approach (18%) phases.
• From 2003 to 2012, of the 162 helicopter accidents with landing phase events, 29% involved a hard landing, 22% involved collision with terrain, 20% involved loss of control, and 20% involved a collision with object. Of the 110 helicopter accidents with manoeuvering phase events, 45% involved collision with terrain, 26% involved loss of control, and 24% involved collision with object.
• Collision with terrain was also the predominant event in fatal helicopter accidents from 2003 to 2012. Collision with terrain was involved in 8 of 11 fatal helicopter accidents with takeoff phase events, 21 of 30 fatal helicopter accidents with en route phase events, 15 of 22 fatal helicopter accidents with manoeuvering phase events, 4 of 10 fatal helicopter accidents with approach phase events, and 6 of 9 fatal helicopter accidents with landing phase events.