Hard landing for Classic Lifeguard
A Classic Lifeguard Bell 407 helicopter made a hard landing in the San Juan Mountains in southwest Colorado on 3 May, during a search for a missing skier. All three occupants – the pilot, a flight paramedic and a sheriff’s deputy, walked away from the accident with no serious injuries.
A Classic Lifeguard Bell 407 helicopter made a hard landing in the San Juan Mountains in southwest Colorado on 3 May, during a search for a missing skier. All three occupants – the pilot, a flight paramedic and a sheriff’s deputy, walked away from the accident with no serious injuries.
Matt Stein, programme director for Classic Lifeguard, reported via the CONCERN Network that at approximately 11:15 hrs, Lifeguard 1 from the organisation’s base in Moab, Utah, was conducting a search for a lost skier in the Lizard Head Pass area. At about 400 ft (120 m) AGL (above ground level), the crew noticed a change in engine noise and a slight vibration. This was followed immediately by the illumination of the ‘eng chip’ caution light which was followed by the illumination of the ‘fadec degraded’ caution light.
Stein explained: “The pilot initiated a precautionary landing to a clearing at 10,000 ft [3,000 m] MSL [mean sea level], announcing his intentions to the crew. While on final approach at 150 ft [45 m] AGL, the engine failed with RPM retreating to zero.”
The pilot began an autorotation manoeuvre, said Stein, and announced to the crew to prepare for a hard landing. He managed to maintain airspeed and completed a successful autorotation. The aircraft hit the snow-covered terrain with its skids level and a nose-high attitude. During the short ground run, the aircraft rolled onto its left side before coming to rest. All three occupants were able to exit the helicopter.
Stein added that the three crew members were evaluated at medical facilities and cleared without injuries. The engine involved in the incident had been installed approximately 150 hours/four months earlier, after being overhauled by a Rolls Royce-authorised centre.
The skier, an 81-year-old man from New Mexico, was found dead at 11:39 hrs by a ground search team. He was reported missing the previous day after he headed into the area to spend the afternoon cross-country skiing, but failed to return. Initial reports stated that the man appeared to have died of natural causes. The skier’s dog, which was found guarding the body, was returned to the man’s family.