While U.S. Army data shows eight deaths related to aviation mishaps as of July 28 this year — compared to 10 for all of fiscal 2008 — the fatalities are still the lowest tallies since the beginning of the decade, according to an Aerospace DAILY analysis of service data provided by the Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center.

In fiscal 1986, the Army reported zero deaths due to aviation mishaps. The following year, it was up to 17 — and continued to climb after that, the analysis shows. In fiscal 2000, the Army reported eight deaths total, making it the safest year since 1986.

The number of fatalities spiked 875 percent, from eight in 2000 to 78 in fiscal 2001, after the war on terror started, the analysis shows. The worst year was in fiscal 2005, during which the Army reported 89 deaths due to mishaps, which surpassed the fiscal 2003 mark of 83.

Before then, the highest recorded mark over the past quarter century was 81 in fiscal 1990.

The deadliest aircraft for Army aviation mishaps between Jan. 1, 2008, and July 28, 2009 are the CH-47D Chinook helicopters, accounting for nearly three-quarters of the fatalities, the analysis shows. The remaining deaths were in accidents involving OH-58D(R) Kiowas. (See charts p. 6.)

Since 1986, the Army aircraft with the most reported fatalities due to mishaps are UH-60 Black Hawks, with more than 880 events, the analysis shows. Placing second are the old UH-1H Hueys, with more than 460.

Next come Chinook variants, with the CH-47D accounting for more than 260 fatalities, according to the analysis.

Ranked by costs, the Army aviation mishap picture changes somewhat. AH-64 Apache models have proved the most costly, tallying up about $5.7 billion in mishap-related losses over the past 23 years. Hovering below that are H-47 models, with more than $2.7 billion, while Black Hawks again soar near the top with at least $2.2 billion.

When ranked by overall number of mishaps, Hueys rise to the top with more than 5,000 events. Early model Apaches rank next with more than 3,000 accidents or incidents, while A model Black Hawks come in third with more than 2,800 events.

Photo: US Army