Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

Three Warrant Officers assigned to Fort Wainwright, Alaska died in an aviation mishap on 27 April 2023. The incident occurred at 1320 local when two AH-64Ds went down during a multi-ship redeployment from a training exercise. The mishap occurred in an Alaskan mountain range approximately 60 miles south of Fort Wainwright. In addition to the three fatalities, the mishap resulted in one Soldier sustaining serious injuries and total loss of both aircraft. A Centralized Accident Investigation team from the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center is currently leading the investigation.

Since FY18, the Army has had an average of seven Class A aviation flight mishaps and lost an average of five Soldiers per year to on-duty aviation mishaps.

 

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A 37-year-old Sergeant First Class assigned to Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, died in a PMV-2 mishap 22 May 2023 at 2100 local. The Soldier was riding his sport bike when he collided head-on with a vehicle that failed to yield the right-of-way while making a left-hand turn. He was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel. The Soldier was current on his motorcycle safety requirements and wearing all personal protective equipment. Alcohol and drugs were not contributing factors in this mishap.

Since FY18, the Army has lost an average of 24 Soldiers a year to PMV-2 mishaps. This mishap was the 17th PMV-2 fatality of FY23 and below the number of fatalities for the same time period last year.

Safety tip

Motorcycles — Sharing the road safely

What can you do to protect motorcyclists?

Many drivers are not aware of how to safely share roads with motorcycles. The vast majority of vehicle versus motorcycle crashes happen in intersections.

Before making a left turn, be sure traffic is clear, and then look again for motorcycles. A vehicle turning in front of motorcycles is the number one cause of fatal accidents for motorcyclists.

Because of road conditions, including potholes, dead animals and road debris, motorcyclists often need to weave from side to side within their lane. Give them as much room as possible.

Remember that motorcyclists have little personal protection other than helmets and the clothes they are wearing, so please help protect them.

Tips for sharing the road with motorcycles

Speeding is a type of aggressive driving behavior. Several factors have contributed to an overall rise in aggressive driving:

• Motorcycles have use of the complete traffic lane. Do not share lanes with motorcycles.


• Failure to yield the right-of-way to a motorcyclist is the most frequent driver error in collisions involving a motorcycle and another vehicle.


• Often drivers do not see motorcyclists until it is too late. This is why it is important for drivers to continually scan the roadway in front, to the rear and to the sides.


• Motorcycles accelerate, turn and stop more quickly than other vehicles. Bad weather, rough road surfaces or inexperience may cause a motorcyclist to fall. All of these are reasons why you should increase your following distance to four seconds or more when behind motorcycles.

 

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A 24-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, died in a PMV-4 mishap 19 May 2023 at 0610 local. The Soldier was traveling westbound when his vehicle crossed the centerline and continued through the left side of the road, where it eventually crashed into a tree. It was reported that excessive speed was a contributor to the mishap. The Soldier was pronounced dead at the scene. Alcohol or drug use is not suspected at this time. The safety point of contact is awaiting more information.

Since FY18, the Army has lost an average of 35 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the 17th PMV-4 fatality of FY23 and above the number of fatalities for the same time last year.

Safety tip
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding endangers everyone on the road. In 2020, speeding killed 11,258 people. We all know the frustrations of modern life and juggling a busy schedule, but speed limits are put in place to protect all road users.

For more than two decades, speeding has been involved in approximately one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities. In 2020, speeding was a contributing factor in 29% of all traffic fatalities.

Speed also affects your safety even when you are driving at the speed limit but too fast for road conditions, such as during bad weather, when a road is under repair or in an area at night that isn’t well lit.

What drives speeding?
Speeding is a type of aggressive driving behavior. Several factors have contributed to an overall rise in aggressive driving:

• Traffic — Traffic congestion is one of the most frequently mentioned contributing factors to aggressive driving, such as speeding. Drivers may respond by using aggressive driving behaviors, including speeding, changing lanes frequently or becoming angry at anyone who they believe impedes their progress.


• Running late — Some people drive aggressively because they have too much to do and are running late for work, school, their next meeting, a soccer game or other appointments.


• Anonymity — A motor vehicle insulates the driver from the world. Shielded from the outside environment, a driver can develop a sense of detachment, as if an observer of their surroundings rather than a participant. This can lead to some people feeling less constrained in their behavior when they cannot be seen by others and/or when it is unlikely they will ever again see those who witness their behavior.


• Disregard for others and the law — Most motorists rarely drive aggressively, and some never do. For others, episodes of aggressive driving are frequent, and for a small proportion of motorists, it is their usual driving behavior. Occasional episodes of aggressive driving — such as speeding and changing lanes abruptly — might occur in response to specific situations, like when the driver is late for an important appointment, but is not the driver’s normal behavior.

Dealing with speeding and aggressive drivers
Speeding behavior and aggressive drivers may not only affect the speeder — it can also affect other drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists. Here are some tips for encountering speeders on the road:

• If you are in the left lane and someone wants to pass, move over and let them by.


• Give speeding drivers plenty of space. Speeding drivers may lose control of their vehicle more easily.


• Adjust your driving accordingly. Speeding is tied to aggressive driving. If a speeding driver is tailgating you or trying to engage you in risky driving, use judgment to safely steer your vehicle out of the way.


• Call the police if you believe a driver is following you or harassing you.

 

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A 23-year-old Specialist assigned to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, died in a PMV-2 mishap 4 May 2023, at 0540 local. The Soldier was riding his motorcycle in the Mendonca Park housing area, when he collided with a vehicle that was exiting the area. He was taken to the local hospital by ambulance where resuscitative efforts were unsuccessful. The Soldier had a valid driver’s license with a motorcycle endorsement, current registration, completed the USARHAW Basic RiderCourse, and was wearing all required motorcycle personal protective equipment.

Since FY18, the Army has lost an average of 24 Soldiers a year to PMV-2 mishaps. This mishap was the 16th PMV-2 fatality of FY23 and below the number of fatalities for the same time period last year.

Nationally, according to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation

Quick Tips: Ten things all car and truck drivers should know about motorcycles
1. Over half of all fatal motorcycle crashes involve another vehicle. Most of the time, the car or truck driver, not the motorcyclist, is at fault. There are a lot more cars and trucks than motorcycles on the road, and some drivers don't "recognize" a motorcycle – they ignore it (usually unintentionally).

2. Because of its narrow profile, a motorcycle can be easily hidden in a car’s blind spots (door/roof pillars) or masked by objects or backgrounds outside a car (bushes, fences, bridges, etc.). Take an extra moment to look for motorcycles, whether you're changing lanes or turning at intersections.

3. Because of its small size, a motorcycle may look farther away than it appears. It may

also be difficult to judge a motorcycle’s speed. When checking traffic to turn at an intersection or into (or out of) a driveway, predict a motorcycle to be closer than it
looks.

4. Motorcyclists often slow down by downshifting or merely rolling off the throttle, thus not
activating the brake light. Allow more following distance, say 3 or 4 seconds. At intersections, predict a motorcyclist may slow down without visual warning.

5. Motorcyclists often adjust position within a lane to be seen more easily and to minimize the effects of road debris, passing vehicles, and wind. Understand that motorcyclists adjust lane position for a purpose, not to be reckless or show off, to allow you to share the lane with them.

6. Turn signals on a motorcycle usually are not self-canceling, thus some riders (especially beginners) sometimes forget to turn them off after a turn or lane change. Make sure a motorcycle's signal is for real.

7. Maneuverability is one of a motorcycles better characteristics, especially at slower speeds and with good road conditions, but don't expect a motorcyclist to always be able to dodge out of the way.

8. Stopping distance for motorcycles is nearly the same as for cars, but slippery pavement makes stopping quickly more difficult. Allow more following distance behind a motorcycle because you can't always stop "on a dime."

9. When a motorcycle is in motion, see more than the motorcycle – see the person under the helmet, who could be your friend, neighbor, or relative.

10. If a driver crashes into a motorcyclist, bicyclist, or pedestrian and causes serious
injury, the driver would likely never forgive himself/herself.

Motorcyclists should – Drive Defensively:

• Be especially alert at intersections because approximately 70 percent of motorcycle-vehicle collisions occur there! Watch for vehicles that may unexpectedly turn in front of you or pull out from a side street or driveway. At intersections where vision is limited by shrubbery, parked vehicles, or buildings, slow down, make doubly sure of traffic, and be prepared to react quickly.


• Check the rearview mirrors before changing lanes or stopping. A quick stop without checking rear traffic may result in a rear-end crash. When changing lanes, use signals and make a visual check to assure that you can change lanes safely.


• Watch the road surface and traffic ahead to anticipate problems and road hazards. Road hazards that are minor irritations for an automobile can be a major hazard for a rider. Hazards include potholes, oil slicks, puddles, debris or other objects on the roadway, ruts, uneven pavement, and railroad tracks. Painted roadway markings and manhole covers can be extremely slippery when wet. Go around most hazards. To do so safely, you must be able to spot such hazards from a distance. Slow down before reaching the obstacle and make sure you have enough room before changing direction. Railroad tracks should be crossed at an angle as close to 90 degrees as possible.


• Experienced motorcyclists often have this advice for new riders: "Assume that you are invisible to other motorists and operate your motorcycle accordingly." Position yourself to be seen. Ride in the portion of the lane where it is most likely that you will be seen by other motorists. Avoid the car's "No Zone" (i.e., blind spot). Use your headlights, day and night. All motor vehicles have blind spots where other vehicles cannot be seen with mirrors.


• Tips provided by MSF.org and NHTSA

 

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A 34-year-old Staff Sergeant assigned to Fort Gordon, Georgia, died in a PMV-4 mishap that occurred 26 April 2023 in Laurinburg, at 1200 local. It was reported the Soldier’s vehicle was struck by another civilian vehicle and pushed into the path of an oncoming semi-truck. He was transported to the local medical center, admitted to the Intensive Care Unit for further treatment, and placed in an induced coma. Seven days later, the Soldier succumbed to his injuries. The Soldier was wearing his seat belt; speed and the involvement of alcohol were not contributing factors. The unit/safety points of contact are awaiting further documentation and updates from the investigation.

Since FY18, the Army has lost an average of 35 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the 16th PMV-4 fatality of FY23 and above the number of fatalities for the same time last year.

 

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