Medevec Helicopter CRASHES with Patient (Real ATC)

#helicopter #crash #helicoptercrash
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Narrative:
While en route during night visual conditions to a hospital helipad with two crewmembers and a patient, the commercial pilot noticed a twist grip caution indication on the left engine (No. 1) cockpit display system (CDS) panel. The pilot also noticed a second indication but could not recall the specific caution message. He stated that he then grabbed each engine throttle twist grip individually to gently verify if he could feel they were in or out of position (neutral detent) but did not notice any significant changes to the throttle position. The pilot decided to divert to a nearby airport, and, as he executed a turn toward the airport, he noticed the No. 2 engine indication no longer matched the No. 1 engine indication; he stated that "it was lower and oscillating." Within about 1 minute of the turn, the pilot "heard the low rotor [rpm] horn," and he lowered the collective to maintain rotor speed. The pilot located a "dark spot" on the ground, which he determined would give him the best opportunity to complete a full autorotation. As he started a turn toward his intended landing location, he felt the tail oscillate to the right and back and heard an increase and decrease in engine speed. When the helicopter was about 200 ft above ground level, he thought he may land short of the intended location and adjusted the collective and cyclic to maintain rotor rpm and airspeed. The helicopter impacted terrain, rotated 180°, and came to rest upright. Surveillance video from a rail platform near the accident site showed a fire near the right (No. 2) engine during the autorotation and a flame burst after the impact with terrain.
• Medevec Helicopter CRA...
Examination of the throttles, throttle linkages, engines, control systems, CDS, and the electronic engine control (EEC) units revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Analysis of data retrieved from the CDS and EEC units revealed that, about 4 minutes after takeoff, the No. 1 engine was placed in manual mode and out of EEC control, which indicates that the pilot had likely inadvertently moved the No. 1 engine throttle out of its neutral detent. The No. 1 engine was in manual mode for about 7 minutes before the pilot noted the CDS twist grip caution indication. The data showed that as the pilot continued to manually control the No. 1 engine, the No. 2 engine was also placed in manual mode and out of EEC control, which indicates that the pilot moved the No. 2 throttle out of its neutral detent. The pilot attempted to maintain rotor and engine rpms while controlling both engines manually; it is not likely that he fully understood the nature of the problem. The pilot misinterpreted an aural alert (low rotor rpm as opposed to high rotor rpm) when high rotor rpm existed and then lowered the collective, which created a rotor overspeed condition. This configuration resulted in a high-workload scenario in which it would be particularly challenging for the pilot to control the helicopter while maneuvering in low altitude and night visual conditions.
The pilot had accumulated about 300 hours of flight experience in EC135s, with about 11 hours in the accident make and model EC135 P1. The accident helicopter was the only EC135 P1 variant in the operator's fleet. Its engines, displays, and throttle controls differed from the EC135 P2 variant in which the pilot was formally trained. The investigation revealed the pilot completed a basic online (self-study) differences training presentation and some informal familiarization training with other company pilots. No formal flight training was part of the differences training curriculum. Because the throttle (twist grip) differs between the P1 and P2 variants, it is likely that the pilot moved it into manual mode without realizing it; he likely did not recognize this issue because he did not have as much experience or formal training in the P1 variant. Because the displays also differed between the variants, it could have been more difficult for the pilot to recognize and understand the indications
Probable Cause: The pilot's inadvertent disabling of the No. 1 and No. 2 engines' electronic engine control systems, which resulted in engine and rotor overspeed conditions, a subsequent autorotation, and a hard landing. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's inexperience with the helicopter variant and the operator’s lack of a more robust helicopter differences training program.
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The ATC audio is downloaded from Liveatc.net

[@LazaroSamudio]

I think the reason the Police helo keeps asking to repeat is because they were probably busy monitoring and talking on other radios. Requesting and coordinating Fire, Ambulance and ground Police units. Guiding all those units in on different radios and frequencies “AND” keeping the Tower advised.

[@RealJPMcGrath]

Exactly, super professional on both sides. Sounds like a young, good controller who genuinely cares and an air crew that respects him. I hope the patient made it through, that a real bad day, guess we all should stop complaining so much.

[@mikej1097]

100%

[@prussiaaero1802]

“Any paramedics on scene?” Yes, they were first on scene.

[@shaunolinger964]

It landed hard, but by golly it was upright and the cockpit and cabin were still more or less intact. For a low-altitude auto rotation that's pretty damn good flying!

[@CharlieTheAstronaut]

He also caused the crash due to inexperience on the type and making mistakes.

[@lowbudgetbuilder4905]

Not to doubt you but can you tell me how it was his fault? Just curious

[@CharlieTheAstronaut]

@@lowbudgetbuilder4905 Sure! :) "Probable Cause: The pilot's inadvertent disabling of the No. 1 and No. 2 engines' electronic engine control systems, which resulted in engine and rotor overspeed conditions, a subsequent autorotation, and a hard landing. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's inexperience with the helicopter variant and the operator’s lack of a more robust helicopter differences training program." Always check the description in these, many will give you the rundown ;)

[@lowbudgetbuilder4905]

@@CharlieTheAstronaut yeah I saw that afterwards. I need a bigger phone because my old ass eyes can’t see shit anymore. Thanks!

[@CharlieTheAstronaut]

@lowbudgetbuilder4905 I feel ya haha 👓

[@RealJPMcGrath]

“Police one couldn’t get a single transmission 😭” Notice how the controller wasn’t mad? Notice how it’s two professionals working through a real world emergency? Things get busy in the real world. The controller likely know pd was a little busy coordinating a response from state, highway, ems, and fire and maybe even calling another medivac. It’s not two dudes talking on ham radios in their basements.

[@OneSkiWonder]

Brings the MedFlight crash to mind. RIP to everyone on board that flight. Glad everyone on this one survived.

[@lanceanz]

When the pilot said "Christ" I thought that was the start of things going wrong.

[@larrybethune3909]

Calling the name of the Lord is never a bad idea.

[@randyc5119]

So glad they had a great pilot, hope the crew and patient are ok 🙏

[@kdub6593]

The cause was gross pilot error.

[@Kevin-CitationXL]

@@kdub6593what did he do?

[@kdub6593]

@@Kevin-CitationXL FFA's report is above, in the drop down.

[@kdub6593]

Sorry. FAA

[@pauljoseph8338]

@@kdub6593 ha! So many comments saying “what a great pilot!”…completely ignoring the fact that the inexperienced pilot CAUSED THIS ACCIDENT!

[@mirandahotspring4019]

You know you're having a bad day when the air ambulance you're a patient in goes down!

[@slo1383]

Unfortunately, not all that uncommon. It's a risky business.

[@AW-yv9sq]

Yeah getting in two crashes in one day

[@caldwellbrett6]

Makes you wonder if they're going to charge that patient. They didn't get them to where they were going.

[@aircampilot8025]

pilot error say what you will auto rotated and night and everyone survived damn good pilot in my opinion

[@nipperdog7777]

My aunt was a flight nurse. She was in three crashes, she decided to change lines of work on the last one. She ended up in a dumpster in an alley after the crash (thrown clear of the fire).

[@qssneaky]

God Bless your aunt. Prayers that she has been able to fully recover both mentally and physically.

[@AW-yv9sq]

Yeah helicopters have too many parts. Don’t get me wrong they sure save lives, move troops and are bad ars. I just feel like you better make peace with your maker ever time you get in one.

[@LazaroSamudio]

Yeah. So all you smart guys with all the smart comments about Police One, let’s see you try doing that job and see if you can do it better!

[@darrylr.4983]

That P1 looks totaled so at least the other pilots no longer have to worry about differences since the rest of their fleet is P2 models. Rotary wing Medevac flights are the most dangerous form of aviation, surpassing even the fire bombers.

[@Rob-vv5yn]

Thanks for that a friend of mine sometimes rides in one and it does worry me a bit

[@SquawkCode]

Put the date in the description.

[@toasty4634]

Man all that caused by moving a control out of a detent, wild how something so small led to this crash. Amazing the pilot is still alive.

[@Flight_Follower]

The pilot's inadvertent disabling of the No. 1 and No. 2 engines' electronic engine control systems, resulted in engine and rotor overspeed conditions, a subsequent autorotation, and a hard landing. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's inexperience with the helicopter variant and the operator's lack of a more robust helicopter differences training program. He was safe, that’s the good part!

[@RetreadPhoto]

All that because by having lots of P2 models, training pilots in that variant exclusively, and keeping one P1 in the stable, as an unnecessary and unmanaged risk. He had 300 hours in the P2, only 11 hours in the P1 (unknown how many of those were nighttime).

[@Flight_Follower]

@RereadPhoto As the hours is only 11 in P2, i am quite sure night hours is very less.

[@enneffgaming]

@@RetreadPhoto Its like the bucking bronco in a herd. EVERYONE should be aware of this P1 working at the company. Looking forward to more details on this report, if there are, thank you,

[@Flight_Follower]

U can check the description for more information I will add a link for more details about the incident

[@pauljoseph8338]

⁠So many comments saying “what a great pilot!”…completely ignoring the fact that the inexperienced pilot CAUSED THIS ACCIDENT!!!

[@romantic340]

The pilot, paramedic, and nurse were seriously injured, and the patient was not injured.

[@AW-yv9sq]

Then why were they in a medivac

[@GamerKatz_1971]

@@AW-yv9sq The patient was not injured as a result of the crash. Not all medivacs are straight from the initial scene of a crash etc. The patient may have been being transferred.

[@AW-yv9sq]

@@GamerKatz_1971i was joking

[@jimydoolittle3129]

If you previously had altimeter and winds , there’s nothing the tower can do for you ,

[@MrTruckerf]

Send help.

[@tomstrum6259]

Thank goodness pilot seems did manage Auto-Rototation....That maneuver always amazes me....

[@davidwright4537]

Outcome of all on board?

[@Flight_Follower]

All safe

[@claro371]

Nice an unverified FD helicopter.

[@Consequator]

Looks like automation without proper clear notifications scrapped another airbus. Not the first time a EC135 has crashed because the throttle was unintentionally touched I believe.

[@semperfidelis8386]

AUTO RAISED??? uhh...no....auto rotated...

[@Flight_Follower]

Sorry for the mistake sir.

[@brianmoore2508]

@@Flight_Follower it’s like he’s been waiting to do that all day 😂

[@MikeRetsoc]

Could that police helo pilot get one single reception the first time?

[@MrJcmd62]

Police were busy coordinating fire and rescue on another radio simultaneously while ATC kept asking them questions. This all while flie flying a complex aircraft.

[@RealJPMcGrath]

@@MrJcmd62thank you, I was just going to say that!

[@nachete9752]

This pilot went through the online training faster than I did through the companys safety training

[@topofthegreen]

Im convinced that helicopters are dangerous.

[@Flight_Follower]

☹️

[@caribbaviator7058]

I hear that all the time. They sure are a different beast compared to fixed wing.

[@andrewberg9611]

That’s a good opinion to have especially as a pilot

[@CASA-dy4vs]

They really aren’t, it’s only a factor of having someone like caseoh on the right side and someone as skinny as a Minecraft skeleton

[@drumswest5035]

Too many moving parts

[@TheNapalmFTW]

To the OP: Are you a native English speaker? Lots of mistakes in the subtitles. This isn't a negative critique

[@johnsadventures6783]

Them choppers are so small. I've ridden in one.

[@jaysmith1408]

I can barely fit in one, never mind ride in one.

[@Anythingforfreedom]

That patient is bad luck

[@scott3390]

Police 1 say again. Police 1 say again. Police 1 say again. Jeeeeze

[@davidtaschuk1154]

He’s definitely working a second radio, maybe a third

[@RealJPMcGrath]

Notice how the controller didn’t get mad? Because they’re professionals doing their jobs and he knows pd is coordinating local, highway, fire, and ems. Things get busy in the real world.

[@jimw1615]

Well, this Air Ambulance Operator got rid of "their problem bird" with this outcome. It's a costly way to do business, however.

[@gregorygaunt9353]

Someone has chitty comms...

[@cooter-of7ej]

if it was on fire the pic dont look like it

[@Journeyman1642]

That was 6 years ago, why post about it now?

[@Look_What_You_Did]

Views....

[@more_jello]

Yes, there's every single bit of data about this crash...except the date of crash. Hmmm..

[@ozbolli]

Looked like they landed in a field of weed in the thumbnail.

[@Flight_Follower]

Weed lover ? 😅

[@ozbolli]

@@Flight_Follower right here

[@Flight_Follower]

😂😂

[@bryonhayes1797]

I have flown in jumbo jets and small 2 seaters planes but i refuse to get in a helicopter pretty much slim chance of survival in a crash.

[@MrTruckerf]

Well, these people all made it. Had a neighbor who had a crop dusting service. He went down in helicopters 4 times in about 20 years. Never was badly injured. His insurance got so high he had to quit.

[@frklein1]

Is this recent?

[@omgentretenimiento]

July 7th, 2018

[@alsecen5674]

Police1 needs to pay attention to radio calls.

[@Flight_Follower]

That was the exact thought I had while I was making the video. Every time tower has to repeat the calls 😕

[@cooljj2003uk]

I’m sure you’d do a better job at flying, navigating and organising a rescue operation on police radio whilst your crew are also in your ear… and speaking to ATC

[@crazynova23]

“I’m talking to Fire Base 2 on air to air.”

[@cooljj2003uk]

@@crazynova23 exactly. Talk about multi tasking

[@instant_mint]

They're talking to someone else too I believe. And the noise in the cockpit may be interfering

[@FloridaJack]

What's new ?

[@ryeboflayvin]

patient in the helicopter must’ve got a curse put on them or something, talk about the worst luck!

[@Flight_Follower]

Yeah. Just thinking about his luck. Worst luck. Just imagine if that was a FATAL😟

[@raylawrence1]

Just listen and learn from the radio exchanges between the relevant parties. This is the classic example of the need to slow down the transmissions in an emergency. The confusion and need for constant 'repeats' due to gabbled messages is painful to listen to when clarity is vital and seconds count.

[@DRC8097]

Police 1: Can you repeat that?

[@allen480]

Go away

[@DRC8097]

@@allen480 I'm sorry, can you repeat that?

[@mlassz009]

​@@DRC8097Nice reply...😅

[@NCLUSA]

I'll say this again, if people really knew how these aircraft operate, they would never get in one. In the cases of helicopters, everything is fine, as long as everything is perfect, but we don't live in a perfect world.

[@greenbeagle13]

@NCLUSA - I remember talking with a Coast Guard helicopter pilot and I mentioned that I would love to learn how to fly a helicopter. He told me, "Don't. A helicopter is the only aircraft that is trying to tear itself apart." 😵‍💫😵‍💫

[@JenniferAguiartampa]

I flew on a neonatal pediatric transport team. When I went through the hiring process part of it was interviewing with the pilots. They said, “there are a few thousand pieces trying to move away from each other.” I was young & loved it. Still miss it.

[@shell-zr9wj]

Why all the wasted time with all those repeats? Every second counts in a situation like that

[@karlscribner3838]

I think Police 1 was on multiple radios directing emergency responders to scene

[@James-zp5po]

That is a model helicopter in the grass

[@Flight_Follower]

Visit a doctor

[@instant_mint]

So according to the description it sounds like the pilot hadn't received enough training from the company for the specific model of aircraft, he made some kind of small mistake that then escalated, then he performed an emergency landing (and they and the aircraft got beat up but all onboard survived? the outcome was not mentioned in the description but I saw it in the comments, I hope it's true)

[@guernica69]

Wonder if the patient will still be charged $50,000 for the flight, this being the good ol' US of A & all

[@MrTruckerf]

He may have to pay for a new helicopter, since it was because of him they were even flying.

[@thekwispytoastman]

Probably so, but will be pennies to them after this multimillion dollar lawsuit they have on their hands. Severely inexperienced pilot placed operating this helicopter, that company is cooked.

[@lemonsqweezy9532]

Oh definitely. And he'll be charged for the second medevac/ambulance too.

[@TheNapalmFTW]

JFC

[@bmacd2112]

That is NOT an approved parking space for a helicopter!

[@Flight_Follower]

The crews were safe thats the best part after parking here

[@bmacd2112]

@@Flight_Follower Indeed! I wouldn't be jesting about it otherwise. I commend the pilots ability in getting down as safe as he could.

[@Flight_Follower]

@bmacd2112 exactly. I do the same.

[@mebeingU2]

Police 1 landed and gave them a ticket for parking there!

[@paulthomsen3788]

When did this happen?

[@more_jello]

July 7, 2018