Watchdog warns Guard pilots not getting enough hours to fly safely
By Davis Winkie
Thursday, Apr 13
The Army National Guard and Air National Guard’s helicopter units are struggling to maintain required flight hours and adhere to safety standards, according to a watchdog agency report published Wednesday.
Although the Army Guard has suffered a lower rate of major crashes than the active duty force, Government Accountability Office officials indicated the shortcomings are translating into pilot error-induced mishaps. The report reviewed crash investigations between fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2021. Watchdog officials also conducted interviews with aviation personnel and reviewed other documents.
The stakes are high — 45 serious helicopter crashes killed 28 Guard personnel during the study period. Losses have occurred more recently as well. In February, two Tennessee National Guard pilots died when their Black Hawk helicopter went down and burst into flames near Huntsville, Alabama. Auditors did not examine the active duty force, which saw nine soldiers die in Kentucky after two helicopters collided on March 29.
https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2023/04/13/watchdog-warns-guard-pilots-not-getting-enough-hours-to-fly-safely/
