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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

March 3, 2019 · Bell 407 · N450AM

Union Center, SD

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 3, 2019
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Location
Union Center, SD
Aircraft
Bell 407 (2013)
Tail Number
N450AM
Operator
Air Methods
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN19LA092

The helicopter pilot, flight nurse, and flight paramedic had arrived at a landing zone to pick up a patient at night. After landing, the pilot rolled the engine throttle to idle and briefed the flight crew that they were clear to depart the helicopter. About 20 seconds later, the ground ambulance drove toward the helicopter, and the main rotor blades impacted the top of the ambulance. The flight paramedic was thrown to the ground and sustained minor injuries. The main rotor blades, tailboom, and fuselage sustained substantial damage. The ground ambulance driver stated that he saw the crew open the doors and get out of the helicopter, so he moved the ambulance ahead to get closer to the helicopter. The driver stated that he did not realize "that the helicopter blades were still rotating." The operator confirmed that the ambulance driver had received training, which indicated that ground personnel are not to approach the helicopter until the blades had stopped rotation. In addition, the general operations manual stated that ground personnel will not come beneath the rotor disk until directed to do so by the pilot.

NTSB Probable Cause

The ambulance driver’s failure to see the helicopter’s rotating main rotor blades in dark night conditions, which resulted in the ambulance’s inadvertent collision with the helicopter. Contributing to the accident was the ambulance driver's failure to follow procedures when approaching the helicopter.

Full Narrative

On March 3, 2019, about 0013 mountain standard time, a Bell 407 helicopter, N450AM, was substantially damaged after landing near Union Center, South Dakota. The pilot and flight nurse were not injured. The flight paramedic sustained minor injuries. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The helicopter was owned by Air Methods and operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135. Dark night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company visual flight rules flight plan was filed and activated for the flight. The on-demand air medical flight departed Spearfish, South Dakota, about 2337, and was en route to Union Center to pick up a patient.The helicopter had arrived at the landing zone at Union Center to pick up a patient. After landing, the pilot rolled the engine throttle to idle and briefed the flight crew that they were clear to depart the helicopter. About 20 seconds into the "cool down" process the ground ambulance drove towards the helicopter and subsequently the main rotor blades impacted the top of the ambulance. The flight paramedic was thrown to the ground during the collision. The main rotor blades, tail boom, and fuselage sustained substantial damage. The ground ambulance driver saw the crew open the doors and get out of the helicopter, so he moved the ambulance forward to get closer to the helicopter. The ground ambulance driver stated that he did not realize "that the helicopter blades were still rotating." Air Methods confirmed that the ambulance driver had received their training. A review of that training indicated that ground personnel are not to approach the aircraft until the blades had stopped rotation. The training also indicated that ground vehicle lights should be turned off while the helicopter is landing. An excerpt from the Air Methods General Operations Manual stated that ground personnel will not come beneath the rotor disk until directed to do so by the pilot in command; the pilot will use appropriate hand signals to do so.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time00:13 MST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 407
Tail NumberN450AM
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAir Methods
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsRolls Royce · 250-C47B · Turboshaft · 650
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured2
Total3
Crew 1Age 36 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind330° @ 13 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point-11 C / -20 C
Altimeter30.42 inHg
Observation Time07:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data