Concern Network
Article Outline
- January 15, 2008
- March 14, 2008
- April 10, 2008
- April 10, 2008
- April 21, 2008
- April 23, 2008
- May 8, 2008
- May 10, 2008
- May 16, 2008
- May 17, 2008
- May 20, 2008
- May 22, 2008
- May 29, 2008
- June 6, 2008
- June 7, 2008
- June 8, 2008
The Concern Network shares verified information to alert medical transport programs when an accident/incident has occurred. Both air and ground programs are encouraged to participate. If you have questions, contact CONCERN Coordinator David Kearns at (800)-525-3712 or www.concern-network.org.
January 15, 2008
A pilot for Aeromed International (Anchorage, AK) was planning to land on runway 18 in Bethel, Alaska, with a patient and the patient's parent on board. Instead the Cessna Caravan 208 touched down in a snow-covered area of the airport between the runway and the adjacent taxiway, collapsing the nose landing gear. The pilot, paramedics, patient, and parent were taken to the local emergency room for evaluation and were released. The weather involved wind approximately 17 knots, occasional low drifting, and blowing snow, which reduced ground visibility. Grant Aviation is the program vendor.
March 14, 2008
The fire suppression system on the hospital rooftop helipad at St. Mary Corwin Hospital in Pueblo, Colorado, (Flight For Life Colorado Lifeguard 4 base) inadvertently activated, spraying foam across the pad and aircraft for approximately 20-30 minutes. The AS 350 B3 aircraft required inspection, draining and replacement of all engine fluids, and an engine wash. The aircraft was then returned to service. The weather was clear and not a factor, and AirMethods is the program vendor.
An investigation revealed that valves controlling the fire suppression system were located in a closet also used by the housekeeping department. A cart was pushed into the closet, hitting a valve and activating the system. These valves have now been isolated behind a locked steel mesh screen.
April 10, 2008
On initial startup for an interfacility transport, a security guard witnessed a towel blow up through the rotor system of St. Mary's CareFlight's (Grand Junction, CO) Bell 412EP. The security guard picked up the towel but failed to notify the crew of the incident. The crew was allowed to take off and fly away. Upon return the pilot was notified by the security supervisor of what had happened. The helicopter was taken out of service at that time and a thorough inspection was performed by the mechanic. No damage was discovered, and the helicopter was returned to service.
Security was informed of the seriousness of the incident, and it was explained that the guard on duty must inform the crew immediately of such an occurrence. Additional training will be given to security personnel.
The weather was clear and not a factor; PHI is the program vendor.
April 10, 2008
The EC145 aircraft was on the patient transport leg of an interhospital transport. Approximately 10 minutes into flight, the UMass Memorial Life Flight (Worcester, MA) medical team noticed a light smell, possibly associated with an electrical element. The aircraft immediately was diverted to a local airport and landed without incident. A local ambulance company met the aircraft at the airport to complete the transport by ground without incident. Aircraft was placed out of service for inspection.
Maintenance personnel found a circuit breaker in the overhead cabin that had become loose and “chaffed” a wire. This caused the outer covering of the wire to burn away, creating the smell in the cabin. The circuit breaker and wire were replaced and all components in the same area were re-inspected without additional findings. Aircraft was placed back in service the following evening. The weather was clear and not a factor, and AirMethods is the program vendor.
April 21, 2008
In preparation for a training mission at LifeNet Airmedical Service (Lexington, KY), a walkaround was performed in which some minor seepage was noted. The pilot in command (PIC) gave an absorbent rag to the check airman (CCE) and then went to the EC130B4 aircraft and started the pre-flight. The CCE cleared the seepage and then went to dispose of the rag. At the return of the CCE all entered the aircraft and flight operations began.
Shortly after takeoff, at 100AGL, an impact noise was heard that was followed by several smaller noises. The PIC immediately began descent and landed in a small field adjacent to the landing strip. Landing was performed without event and the aircraft was shut down using correct procedures. Inspection was performed and the righthand transmission cowling was open approximately 6 inches, with the upper security latch unlatched. Minor damage was incurred and the aircraft was immediately grounded with appropriate personnel notified.
After FAA/NTSB inspection the aircraft was moved by platform to the hangar, where further inspection and repair was completed. No injuries or extenuating damage were incurred. The weather was clear and not a factor, and AirMethods is the program vendor.
April 23, 2008
During straight and level flight, the STAT MedEvac (West Mifflin, PA) crew heard a loud thump, followed by an aircraft vibration from the tail section of the BK117C2.
The pilot executed a precautionary landing at the closest air park in Laurel, Delaware. A patient was onboard, and no injuries were reported.
Initial aircraft inspection indicated a failure in the air conditioning system. The bolts holding the air conditioning drive pulley sheared from the rotor brake disk, causing the pulley belt to disengage from the pulley. The manufacturer of air conditioning system was notified, plus the STAT fleet implemented initial and recurring checks to help ensure the condition of the a/c system.
The weather was clear and not a factor, and CEM of Western Pa is the program vendor.
May 8, 2008
Immediately after liftoff from Salt Lake City International Airport, the Intermountain Life Flight (Salt Lake City, UT) pilot observed a significant power loss in the B200's left engine. Believing he had an engine failure, the pilot retarded throttles to both engines and landed straight ahead on the runway remaining without further incident. A medical crew was onboard, but there was no patient and no injuries. The weather was clear and not a factor.
It was determined that the engine power loss was the result of the left side throttle inadvertently moving back toward idle. The primary cause of this incident was insufficient friction set on the left side throttle. Contributing factors include the following:
May 10, 2008
The UW Med Flight program based in Madison, Wisconsin, suffered a terrible loss on this day. After refueling at the La Crosse airport, an EC-135 T2 aircraft departed for Madison at 22:34. No patient was on board. Contact was lost with the aircraft and the PAIP was immediately activated. A ground search was initiated at 23:04. The initial search was suspended at 02:00 due to darkness and weather.
The wreckage of the aircraft was found 09:00 the next morning, 4.5 miles SE of the airport. Pilot Steve Lipperer, Flight Nurse Mark Coyne, and Flight Physician Darren Bean died in the crash.
The weather was calm, 8 miles, light rain, few clouds at 1,400 agl, overcast at 5,000 agl. Air Methods is the program vendor.
May 16, 2008
Returning from a static display, the San Bernardino Sheriff's Aviation (Rialto, CA) crew caught a slight smell of hot oil. Less than a minute later, while entering the pattern at Rialto Airport, the UH1H Super Huey's master caution and hydraulic segmented caution lights illuminated. The pilot extended his downwind and completed a long, shallow approach to a running landing to runway 35. No injuries were reported. The weather was clear and not a factor; the program is its own vendor.
Maintenance personnel discovered that a flexible, braided metal, high pressure hydraulic line running near the transmission had developed a pinhole leak, resulting in the loss of hydraulic fluid.
May 17, 2008
During a repositioning flight from the Salt Lake International Airport to AirMed's (University Health Care, Salt Lake City, UT) Ogden base, a near miss was encountered with 2 small civil aircraft. AirMed 14, a Bell 206L3, was being directed by SLC approach control when 2 aircraft not in contact with approach control came close enough for all aircraft to take evasive action. Both civil aircraft were flying close enough to each other that approach control could only identify one target on radar. No radio response from either of the civil aircraft was obtained before, during, or after the incident. The flight ended with no further incident, but the FAA was notified of the incident.
The weather was clear and not a factor, and AirMethods is the program vendor.
May 20, 2008
While Travis County STAR Flight (Austin, TX) was responding to a scene and approximately 4 minutes into the flight, the left side sliding door of the EC145opened in cruise flight. The flight nurse, seated in the rear lefthand seat, attempted to grab the door as it was opening. The pilot slowed the aircraft and landed without incident in a large clearing at a local park. The on duty mechanic and program management were notified.
The aircraft was inspected, minor repairs made to the door assembly, and the aircraft was returned to service. An investigation revealed no identifiable causes for the door to open. Information has been provided to the airframe manufacturer. The weather was clear and not a factor; the program is its own vendor.
May 22, 2008
A Good Samaritan Hospital EMS (Kearney, NE) ambulance was northbound in the inside lane of a light-protected intersection and was driving with emergency lights and siren activated. A patient was on board being transported to Good Samaritan Hospital. A pickup entered intersection from the west at the same time northbound traffic was given a green light. The pickup then saw the Ford MedTec ambulance and attempted to speed up to get out of way; ambulance also swerved to the right. Ambulance struck pickup in the left rear bumper. The paramedic in back was in the process of giving report, was unrestrained, and was knocked to the floor. The patient was restrained on cot. A second ambulance was immediately dispatched to the scene. Patient transport was continued to the hospital. No injuries were reported.
After investigation by the Kearney Police Department, the pickup driver was cited. It was raining.
May 29, 2008
During a FAA 135 check ride, a pilot for Aero Med Spectrum Health (Grand Rapids, MI) and a FAA check airman were performing touch and go at a rooftop hospital helipad. After liftoff, the S-76A aircraft impacted the helipad, and there was a postcrash fire. Both occupants survived and were treated for injuries sustained on impact. No persons in the hospital were injured. The weather was clear and not a factor; the accident is under investigation. The program is its own vendor.
June 6, 2008
While a patient was being transported to the University of Utah, a laser was directed into the cabin of AirMed 18, a Bell 430 flown by AirMed (University Health Care, Salt Lake City, UT). It was intense enough to illuminate the entire cockpit. An approximate GPS location was identified near Bountiful, Utah, and given to local authorities and the FAA. The weather was clear and not a factor; the vendor is Air Methods.
June 7, 2008
EagleMed (Wichita, KS) experienced the following incident. During descent, the altitude electric trim stopped moving, manual trimming was applied, and sparks were observed coming from under the console of the BE-90. Electric trim was disabled and the landing was made without the use of elevator trim. A postflight investigation revealed a broken trim cable; a complete investigation is under way. No injuries were reported. The weather was clear and not a factor.
June 8, 2008
PHI Air Medical (Bryan, TX) and the emergency medical community mourn the loss of Flight Nurse Jana Bishop, Pilot Wayne Kirby, Flight Paramedic Stephanie Waters, and their patient, who were involved in a fatal helicopter accident. In the early morning hours, Air Med 12, located at Coulter Field in Bryan, Texas, flew to Huntsville Memorial Hospital in a BH 407 to pick up a patient for transport to Houston. The Med 12 crew followed PHI's Enhanced Operational Control policies and procedures. After preparing the patient, the crew flew in a southern direction toward Houston when an accident occurred approximately 10 miles south of Huntsville.
The accident is under investigation by PHI, the NTSB, and the FAA.
PII: S1067-991X(08)00150-8
doi:10.1016/j.amj.2008.07.002
