Air Ambulance B407 Pitch Links & Swashplate Drive Arm Bent in Double Bird Strike (Med-Trans Corp N910GX)
On the afternoon of 29 March 2024 Bell 407 air ambulance helicopter N910GX, operated by Med-Trans Corp, suffered a bird strike near Moran, Kansas.
The pilot reported that the aircraft was in the cruise en route to a casualty. Due to “strong gusty winds” the pilot “elected to transit to the scene location at approximately 2500 feet MSL and 130 KIAS ” when…
…the aircraft encountered a small flock of 3 birds near Moran, Kansas.
The pilot had been crossing check instruments and when continuing outside visual scan, he spotted the birds and attempted to briefly maneuver to avoid contact. This attempt was unsuccessful as the late spotting of the birds did not allow further maneuvers.
Subsequently, there were two loud noticeable impacts to the aircraft. Following the impacts, the aircraft began to hop vertically and aircraft controllability was in question.
The pilot found the helicopter was still controllable but as the amount of damage was unknown…
…the pilot began to turn into the wind to find a suitable emergency landing site as he was unsure how long the aircraft would remain controllable.
An open pasture was selected as an emergency landing site. The pilot proceeded to land (trying to maintain an autorotational profile during most of the descent) and shutdown the aircraft without further issues.
There were no injuries to the four occupants.
The pilot and medical crew began to look over the aircraft for any noticeable damage. Initially, they could see a bent pitch change link on the rotorhead as well as a bird wing lodged in the upper wire strike prevent system.
Upon further inspection, the swashplate drive link was bent as well near the bent pitch change link.
The upper left corner of the pilot’s windscreen was also cracked.
The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) safety investigation report, issued on 18 July 2024 added nothing further, nor was the bird debris identified.
Just a few weeks earlier, on 5 March 2024, Airbus AS350B3e (H125) N853MB of Med-Trans Corp, suffered a double bird strike near its destination at Fort Morgan, Colorado, that we previously discussed. In that case the windscreen was penetrated, the pilot’s visors shattered and helmet knocked off.
Safety Resources
The European Safety Promotion Network Rotorcraft (ESPN-R) has a helicopter safety discussion group on LinkedIn. You may also find these Aerossurance articles of interest:
- Med Trans Air Ambulance Pilot’s Visor Smashed in Double Bird Strike
- HEMS H145 Bird Strike
- Safety Lessons from a Fatal Helicopter Bird Strike: A fatal accident occurred on 4 Jan 2009 involving Sikorsky S-76C++ N748P of PHI that highlighted a range safety lessons. We also discuss current activity on enhancing bird strike requirements.
- USAF HH-60G Downed by Geese in Norfolk, 7 January 2014
- Swedish Military NOE Helicopter Bird Strike
- Power of Prediction: Foresight and Flocking Birds looks at how a double engine loss due to striking Canada Geese had been predicted 8 years before the US Airways Flight 1549 ditching in the Hudson (which was just days after the Louisiana helicopter accident).
- Final Report Issued on 2008 B737 Bird Strike Accident in Rome
- NTSB Recommendations on JT15D Failure to Meet Certification Bird Strike Requirements
- USAF T-38C Downed by Bird Strike
- AS350B3/H125 Bird Strike with Red Kite
- Big Bustard Busts Blade: Propeller Blade Failure After Bird Strike
- AW169 Birdstrike with a Turkey Vulture
- Dusk Duck: Birdstrike During Air Ambulance Flight
- Night CHC HEMS BK117 Loss of Control
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