Air Evac Lifeteam - Non-injury incident

DATE		6/9/02 0030 

PROGRAM		Air Evac Lifeteam

VENDOR		none

ADDRESS
		Paris, Arkansas 72855

WEATHER		Clear. Not a factor

AIRCRAFT_TYPE	BH206L

TAIL#		N103EA

TEAM		Pilot, FN, FP. No injuries reported. No patient. 

DESCRIPTION	As aircraft began descent for a night scene pickup 
		the pilot noted a high rate of descent and the 
		flight nurse called "trees".  Power was added to 
		initiate a climb and right cyclic to fly out and 
		set up for another approach.  As the aircraft 
		climbed and turned, a bump was felt in the 
		fuselage.  Control response was normal with a high 
		frequency vibration in the tail rotor pedals.  Due 
		to rough terrain, low illumination and obstacles 
		in the area, the pilot flew to the nearest airport 
		and accomplished a normal landing and shutdown. 

ADDITIONAL INFO	Post flight inspection revealed damage to the tail 
		rotor blades and attaching points of tail rotor 
		gearbox.  Final report pending NTSB investigation. 

SOURCE		Stephen Wilkerson, Dir. Ops., Air Evac Lifeteam

VIA		Roseanne Krantz, CONCERN

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The CONCERN network shares verified information to alert medical
transport programs when an accident / incident has occurred.
Please share the above information with your program staff. If
you have further questions, please contact the CONCERN Coordinator,
Roseann Krantz @ 1-800-75-SHOCK or rjkrantz@aol.com.