Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

Two Chief Warrant Officers assigned to the Tennessee Army National Guard, Nashville, Tennessee, died in an aviation mishap 15 February 2023 near Huntsville, Alabama, at 1459 local. The two-pilot crew was conducting an instrument flight rules training flight on approach to Huntsville International Airport when the aircraft experienced an unknown event that led to it losing altitude. The aircraft crashed on Highway 53 near Burwell Road in the vicinity of Harvest, Alabama. Federal and local authorities responded to the scene and secured the site with assistance from Redstone Arsenal safety personnel. Both pilots died in the mishap, and the aircraft was a total loss. Recovery assets responded to the scene and a U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center Centralized Accident Investigation team is 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. This was the third Class A aviation mishap of FY23 and one above the number of similar mishaps during the same time period last year.
 

 

A 19-year-old Private assigned to Fort Benning, Georgia, died in a PMV-4 mishap 25 December 2022 near Warrington, Florida, at 0100 local. The Soldier was reportedly riding as a passenger in a vehicle involved in a two-vehicle mishap. A Honda sedan failed to maintain control and crossed the centerline, striking a Ford SUV head-on as it was approaching. The Soldier sustained fatal injuries. The specific circumstances of the mishap, including speed, the Soldier’s use of a seat belt, and the involvement of alcohol or drugs as contributing factors, are currently unknown. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for the Florida Highway Patrol to release its final report.

Since FY18, the Army has lost an average of 35 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the 12th PMV-4 fatality of FY23 and above the number of fatalities for the same time period last year.
 

 

A 28-year-old Staff Sergeant assigned to Camp Carroll, Korea, died in an other ground mishap 18 January 2023 in Waegwan, Korea, at 0300 local. The Soldier reportedly fell off the roof of her apartment building. A Non-Commissioned Officer from the unit notified first responders and the chain of command. Local first responders arrived on the scene, found the Soldier nonresponsive and immediately began lifesaving measures. Upon arrival to the local medical center, the Soldier was pronounced dead by the attending physician. No further details are currently available. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for local authorities to release their final report.

Since 2018, the Army has lost an average of three Soldiers a year to off-duty other ground mishaps. This mishap was the first off-duty other ground fatality of FY23.
 

 

A 27-year-old Sergeant assigned to Fort Bliss, Texas, died in a PMV-2 mishap 13 January 2023 in El Paso, Texas, at 2046 local. The Soldier was traveling southbound when his motorcycle collided with a truck that pulled out in front of him. The El Paso Police Department (EPD) pronounced the Soldier dead at the scene. He was wearing personal protective equipment and completed the required Motorcycle Safety Foundation training. It was reported that alcohol was not suspected as a contributing factor to the mishap. It is currently unknown if speed was a contributing factor. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for EPD to release its final report.

Since 2018, the Army has lost an average of 24 Soldiers a year to off-duty PMV-2 mishaps. This mishap was the sixth PMV-2 fatality of FY23.


When it comes to motorcycle riding at night and its safety challenges, people have varying opinions. Some think driving at night is safe since there are fewer road users and traffic congestion. However, there are others who view that night riding should be completely avoided due to the associated risks. No matter the opinion, there are challenges associated with motorcycle riding at night.

Low visibility
This is the most critical challenge facing motorcycle riding and other road users at night. With low visibility, it becomes very difficult to maintain focus and speed. As a result, many road accidents occur at night.

This could either be that the rider can’t see other objects clearly, or other road users do not see him. This can be easy fix by using motorcycle glasses for night riding that enhance low light visibility.

Obstacles
Obstacles on the road can pose a great safety risk to riders at night. It could be in the form of debris, roadblocks, potholes, manholes, loose gravel, and others. In addition, due to darkness, the obstacle could become less visible to the rider. In such a case, maneuverability will also reduce, and a potential collision could be life-threatening.

Drunk riders and drivers
When you decide to ride in the night, you should know that you’re not the only rider. Some other riders and drivers might be drunk. When a drunk driver is behind the wheel, they can’t maintain good road safety tips. Moreover, if the driver has limited vision, he’ll pose dangerous risks on the road for others.

Animals
Most animals that run in the night will naturally freeze once they gaze into oncoming headlights. If the animal’s eyes emit a glow, it will be a signal to you of its presence. However, if the eyes don’t, you may not notice their presence on time. Therefore, running through them or trying to maneuver around them at close range could lead to an accident.


Motorcycle Safety Tips for Riding at Night
Riding in the night could be inevitable in most cases. Many people do it as part of their hobbies or enjoyment. For some, it is their only available means of commuting. Remembering motorcycle safety tips for riding at night will protect you and your bike in whatever category you are.

1. Enhance your visibility
Low visibility is a critical safety risk for motorcycle riding at night. You can make yourself more visible during your night rides in the following ways:

Wear high-visible gear/clothing – Making yourself seen in the night is a great means of reducing accidents. Wearing fluorescent colors such as green, yellow, orange, and white will make you seen by other riders and drivers. When you dress in all black or dark colors, it keeps you hidden and limits your safety.

Use a white helmet – Wearing a helmet with safety certifications will provide protection in case of accidents. However, while gearing up, select a white helmet. This helps other road users to pick you out with ease.

Include reflective tape – You can increase your visibility by adding reflective tape to your clothing because it emits reflective lights at night and will help alert others to your presence on the road.


2. Increase your motorcycle visibility

Here are ways you can make your bike more visible:

Switch on the headlights and clean them when necessary – Riding in the night with a faulty headlight is risky. Instead, ensure your headlight is on and functioning properly. This will help to illuminate your front space. Also, the lenses of your headlights can get dirty over a long time of usage. With debris and dirt particles on the road, the lenses can become fogged and cloudy. However, with the use of water and clean, non-fluffy towels, you can easily clean the lenses to make the lighting brighter during your ride.

Ensure your brake handle and lights are functional – Before you embark on a ride in the night, you should check your brake and the brake lights. If other road users can see your brake light, they will know when you’ve hit the brake to slow down.

Clean or replace your visor – Your bike visor can undergo wear and tear or become dirty, which will invariably reduce your visibility. Therefore, ensure you regularly clean the visor, and when it becomes too old, replace it.


Motorcycle Safety Tips for Riding at Night [Keep You Safe] - HelmetsAdvisor.com
 

 

A 57-year-old Staff Sergeant assigned to the U.S. Army National Guard, Oskaloosa, Iowa, on Title 10 orders died in a PMV-4 mishap 8 January 2023 in Johnson County, Iowa, at 0530 local. The Soldier reportedly was on his way to work when he was involved in a multi-vehicle mishap and sustained fatal injuries. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department notified the unit of the mishap. The specific circumstances of the mishap, including speed, the Soldier’s use of a seat belt, and the involvement of alcohol or drugs as contributing factors, are currently unknown. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department to release its final report.

Since FY18, the Army has lost an average of 35 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the 11th PMV-4 fatality of FY23 and above the number of fatalities for the same time period last year.

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