Helicopter encounters vultures
On 17 February, Kevin Nooner, director of operations with Vanderbilt LifeFlight, reported via the Concern Network that a non-injury incident had occurred earlier in the month, involving a LifeFlight EC135 operated by Air Methods.
On 17 February, Kevin Nooner, director of operations with Vanderbilt LifeFlight, reported via the Concern Network that a non-injury incident had occurred earlier in the month, involving a LifeFlight EC135 operated by Air Methods. The weather had been clear and was not a factor. The bulletin described the incident:
“[On 3 February 2015 at 12:50 hrs], the [pilot] reported encountering two flocks of birds with one being vultures at approximately 2,000 ft [600 m] MSL and at 120KIAS. While able to avoid the first flock of smaller birds, the vultures flew directly into his flight path. One vulture impacted and entered the aircraft through the co-pilot windscreen striking the aft-facing medical crewmember on the back of the helmet and ultimately the aft bulkhead in the passenger compartment. The pilot was able to safely land the aircraft at the local airport approximately four miles [six kilometres] away without further incident. Damage was limited to the windscreen and debris in the aircraft. No injuries were reported. The patient was transferred to a LifeFlight ground crew for transportation to hospital.
“The PAIP was followed and a formal debriefing is being scheduled. The aircraft has since been repaired and placed back into service.”