NTSB -- NTSB DETERMINES CAUSE OF EMS HELCOPTER MIDDAIR COLLISION IN ARIZONA

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NTSB PRESS RELEASE

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National Transportation Safety Board

Washington, DC 20594

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 8, 2009

SB-09-21

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NTSB DETERMINES CAUSE OF EMS HELCOPTER MIDDAIR COLLISION IN

ARIZONA

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The National Transportation Safety Board has determined that

the probable cause of a midair collision between two

emergency medical service (EMS) helicopters last year was

that both pilots' failed to see and avoid the other

helicopter on approach to the helipad. Contributing to the

accident were the failure of one of the pilots to follow

arrival and noise abatement guidelines and the failure of

the other pilot to follow communications guidelines.

On June 29, 2008, about 3:47 pm MST, two Bell 407 EMS

helicopters, operated by Air Methods Corporation, and by

Classic Helicopter Services, collided in midair while

approaching the Flagstaff Medical Center (FMC) helipad in

Flagstaff, Arizona. All 7 persons aboard the two

helicopters were killed and both helicopters were destroyed.

"This accident highlights the importance of adhering to the

regulations and guidelines that are in place," said Acting

Chairman Mark V. Rosenker. "Had these pilots been more

attentive and aware of their surroundings, and if

communications would have been enhanced, this accident could

have been prevented."

In its report today, the Board noted that both EMS

helicopters were on approach to the Flagstaff Medical Center

(FMC) helipad to drop off patients. During the flights,

both pilots had established two-way communications with

their communications centers and provided position reports.

The FMC communications center coordinator advised the Air

Methods pilot that there would be another helicopter

dropping off a patient at FMC. The FMC coordinator also

advised Classic communication center that Air Methods would

be landing at FMC, but the Classic communication center did

not inform the Classic pilot nor was it required to do so.

However, the Board stated that if Classic's pilot had

contacted the FMC communications center, as required, the

FMC transportation coordinator likely would have told him

directly that another aircraft was expected at the helipad.

If the pilot had known to expect another aircraft in the

area, he would have been more likely to look for the other

aircraft, the report stated.

As documented in the report, Air Methods did not follow the

noise abatement guidelines, to approach the helipad from a

more easterly direction. Classic approached the helipad from

the northeast, and it is likely that the pilot would have

been visually scanning the typical flight path that other

aircraft approaching the medical center would have used.

Thus, if the Air Methods helicopter had approached from a

more typical direction, the pilot of the Classic helicopter

may have been more likely to see and avoid it.

Neither helicopter was equipped with a traffic collision

avoidance system, nor was such a system required. Had such a

system been on board, the Board noted, it likely would have

alerted the pilots to the traffic conflict so they could

take evasive action before the collision. However, according

to Federal regulations, ultimately the pilots are

responsible for maintaining vigilance and to be on alert and

avoid other aircraft at all times.

The Board's report, including the probable cause, is

available on the NTSB's website at

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=20080715X01051&key=1

Media Contact: Keith Holloway, 202-314-6100

hollow@xxxxxxxx

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