Having survived an engine failure in a Blackhawk flying at night and after investigating a number of accidents in Army helicopters as flight surgeon, I can assure you that forced landings in helicopters are indeed survivable. Most of my pilots that were Viet Nam vets had several unplanned emergency landings to their credit. <br><br>Auto-rotations are indeed survivable but are only possible in the presence of an intact rotor blade and control hub, transmission, and controls. There is no option to jump out of a disabled helicopter and take your chances with the ground. Helicopter crews ( in no military branch) do not wear parachutes, nor do crews of transport aircraft in the Air Force.<br><br>Jeffery S. Anderson, M.D.<br><br>