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.
May 27, 2008
A CALSTAR (McClellan, CA) aircraft was on approach to hospital pad with patient aboard. The BO 105 pilot had to take evasive action to avoid a public agency Bell 205 on a collision course. The Bell 205 aircraft never changed course; therefore it can be assumed that they never saw the CALSTAR aircraft.
The CALSTAR pilot made repeated attempts to contact the other aircraft via all known common use radio frequencies. The landing was delayed as the other aircraft remained in the area, creating a hazard. After many attempts, the other aircraft was contacted and the landing was completed safely. The weather was clear, and the program is its own vendor.
The agency operating the 205 was contacted shortly afterward, and they agreed to monitor 123.050 MHz when flying in the vicinity of hospital helipads. Subsequently, CALSTAR is seeking support for a statewide HEMS radio frequency. A meeting of all California HEMS operators was scheduled to discuss the issue and devise procedures to avoid collisions.
June 20, 2008
While a crew with Air Life of Oregon (Bend, OR) was passing over mountainous terrain in central Oregon and experiencing turbulent weather conditions, the nose of the Eurocopter BK-117 B2 pitched suddenly and steeply upward while on autopilot. The pilot was able to correct the condition by thrusting the stick forward and reducing power on the collective. However, a warning light appeared in the cockpit in response to the stress placed on the rotor assembly and remained illuminated. The pilot and crew (flight nurse, respiratory therapist; no patient) were able to locate a good landing zone and carried out a precautionary landing in accordance with our procedures. The weather was gusty, turbulent, with localized rain showers.
Mechanics found that the torque on the rotor assembly bolts was satisfactory, and no other malady was found as of the time of this report. This incident was under investigation. Metro Aviation is the vendor.
June 21, 2008
CareFlight—North Mississippi Medical Center (Tupleo, MS) was requested to rendezvous with a ground ambulance at a pre-designated landing zone for a patient transport. Weather was clear and not a factor. It was early morning, but the sun had not fully risen. Walkaround was performed by the crew. The AS350, B-2 pilot and flight nurse boarded the aircraft with doors secured. The flight paramedic remained outside the aircraft to remove the APU after startup. Once receiving the OK to disconnect from the pilot, the paramedic removed the APU and moved the cart off of the helipad, returned to the aircraft, and secured himself and the door.
After takeoff, ground personnel noticed a 4' extension cord hanging from the aircraft and notified the communications center, which notified the pilot. The aircraft immediately returned to the helipad. The aircraft had not traveled more than half a mile and had not reached cruise speed.
Inspection revealed a black shoreline extension cord that had not been removed. The aircraft had no visible damage. The mechanic was notified, inspected the aircraft, and returned the aircraft to service. Air Methods is the vendor.
Postincident action included additional training and adding a warning flag to both the extension cord and APU; they also were zip-tied together.
June 27, 2008
Air Evac 31, based at Love Field in Prescott, Arizona, was involved in an accident while responding to a patient transport request. On approach to the landing zone in an area approximately 30 miles northwest of Prescott, the AS 350 helicopter was involved in an accident. The pilot, flight nurse, and flight paramedic were injured; no patient was on board. The cause of the crash is under investigation by PHI, the FAA, and the NTSB.
Two flight crewmembers were transported by fellow air medical providers to Flagstaff Medical Center and were listed in serious condition. The third flight crewmember was transported by ground ambulance and released from the hospital.
June 29, 2008
Classic Lifeguard (Page, AZ) suffered a terrible loss on this day. Their Bell 407 was involved in a mid-air collision with another program's helicopter while on final approach to the helipad at Flagstaff Medical Center in Arizona. The accident killed pilot Tom Caldwell, flight paramedic Tom Clausing, and patient Michael Macdonald, who was being transported from Grand Canyon National Park. Flight nurse James Taylor was the only survivor from both aircraft. The weather was clear and not a factor.
Our hearts and prayers are with our fallen heroes and their families. We will forever honor their dedication. Condolences may be sent to clgdispatch@cableone.net.
June 29, 2008
Guardian Air (Flagstaff, AZ) suffered a fatal midair collision with another EMS aircraft on final approach to a hospital rooftop helipad. The accident in a Bell 407 occurred approximately one-half mile from the hospital. Pilot Pat Graham, flight nurse Shawn Shreeve, and patient Raymond Zest were killed.
The weather was clear and not a factor. Air Methods is the program's vendor.
July 6, 2008
While St. Mary's CareFlight (Grand Junction, CO) team was in cruise flight, their Bell 412 experienced #2 hydraulic system failure. Pilot completed the emergency checklist and made a precautionary landing without incident. The weather was clear and not a factor.
After inspecting the aircraft, the mechanic repaired a hydraulic leak and replenished the hydraulic fluid. The aircraft returned to base without incident. PHI is the vendor.
July 11, 2008
The AirMed Inc. (Augusta, GA) pilot picked aircraft up to hover, conducted a power check, and determined aircraft ready for flight. Aircraft departed helipad in a NW direction with a flight nurse and flight paramedic on board. Shortly after takeoff at an altitude of approximately 25-30 feet and over the grass median between the adjacent roads, both engines lost power. The Augusta 109E pilot immediately made a right pedal turn and attempted to return to the helipad. He was able to clear the road but not reach the helipad. The aircraft landed in a grass area adjacent to the helipad, on top of the guard fence. Minimal damage was done to the landing gear and bottom surface of the aircraft. The weather was clear and not a factor.
July 21, 2008
A CALSTAR (McClellan, CA) crew experienced a loss of anti-torque control as they brought the MD902 aircraft to a hover at the Salinas, CA, base when returning from a mission. No injuries were reported. The pilot executed a hovering autorotation, resulting in damage to the skid crosstubes. The weather was clear and not a factor.
Later investigation discovered that the loss of anti-torque control was caused by the failure of the thruster cone control rod. At the time the report was written, all CALSTAR MD902 aircraft were grounded until further notice pending an inspection of the control rods.
July 21, 2008
A Horton MICU with CareFlight Air & Mobile Services (Dayton, OH) was stopped at a traffic light when another vehicle coming from the opposite direction ran the light, struck another vehicle, and subsequently spun in the MICU, hitting the driver's side. The MICU is equipped with a drive camera, and the video documented the accident very clearly, as well as the crew in the cabin being belted. No patient was aboard. The weather was clear and not a factor.
The officer on scene reviewed the video and cited the driver running the light. The MICU sustained minimal damage with no crew injuries. The MICU was repaired and returned to service. The drivers of both cars were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
July 31, 2008
A CareFlight Air & Mobile Services (Dayton, OH) aircraft was landing at a hospital helipad when a large bird impacted the nose of the 365N3 Dauphin. The nose cone and pitot tube were slightly damaged. The aircraft was removed from service and an Air Methods mechanic dispatched. The aircraft was repaired and is in service. There were no injuries or other damage. The weather was clear and not a factor.
August 1, 2008
Enloe FlightCare (Chico, CA) was returning from an interfacility transfer with a patient on board when they experienced a near miss with a Cessna type fixed-wing aircraft in the vicinity of the local airport. The control tower was closed. FlightCare initially announced on the common traffic advisory frequency that they were 7 miles NE of the airport, transitioning to the hospital 3 miles south of the airport. A commercial aircraft reported that they were 7 miles south of the airport inbound for landing. FlightCare and the commercial aircraft coordinated altitude and spacing between themselves during several different radio calls. There was no other traffic seen or heard in the airport environment. The weather was clear and not a factor.
FlightCare's AS 350B2 was descending out of 2200 feet and was just northeast of the airport, preparing to cross midfield when the flight crew—assisted by night vision goggles—suddenly saw an aircraft off to the 8 o'clock position at less than 100 feet and converging. FlightCare continued their descent, and the aircraft passed over the helicopter. FlightCare contacted the commercial aircraft and told them they had had a near miss with an aircraft. The commercial aircraft reported that they picked up the other aircraft on their TCAS but had never visualized it or heard it on the radio.
After the incident, FlightCare initiated a safety stand down for the night. The next day a critical incident stress debrief/defuse was held with the flight crew involved in the incident. The program is its own vendor.
August 2, 2008
A CALSTAR (McClellan, CA) pilot noted that excessive left pedal was required for coordinated flight. Postflight inspection revealed that the actuator control rod for the MD902's left vertical stabilizer was broken at the rod end. No damage to the aircraft, no injuries to the crew. The weather was clear and not a factor.
All other CALSTAR MD900 aircraft were inspected and released for flight.
August 3, 2008
A MeritCare LifeFlight (Fargo, ND) helicopter experienced a malfunction of the #2 engine. A single engine precautionary landing was performed at the Buffalo, MN, airport, where the Bell 222UT landed without incident. The LifeFlight medical team continued the patient transport by ground ambulance. The cause of the malfunction was the high side fuel governor on the #2 engine. The weather was clear and not a factor. PHI is the vendor.
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