UCAN - Non-injury incident

DATE	
	2/19/04 2130 CST

PROGRAM	
	UCAN

VENDOR	
	CJ Systems Aviation Group

ADDRESS	
	5841 S. Maryland
	Chicago, IL 60637

WEATHER	
	Clear. Not a factor

AIRCRAFT_TYPE	
	Dauphin N1

TAIL#	
	N365UC

TEAM	
	Full Crew. No injuries reported. . No injuries reported. No patient. 

DESCRIPTION	
	On Thursday evening, February 19, 2004, at 21:30,
	the helicopter lifted off from its rooftop helipad for an
	interfacility transport. As the aircraft accelerated (less than a
	minute airborne), the pilot heard an air leak from the top edge of
	the door behind him. As the pilot turned and reached up toward the
	top corner to feel if any air was entering, the door left the
	aircraft. Since there were no other sounds or "bumps" as the door
	departed, the pilot felt confident that the door did no damage to the
	aircraft. He immediately returned safely to the helipad. The door was
	later recovered in an unoccupied parking lot; it caused no physical
	injuries or damages.

ADDITIONAL INFO	
	In this helicopter, the door involved is routinely kept locked since 
        there are installed cabinets that block the door from use as an 
        entrance or exit.
	
	Upon investigation, the pilot noticed a dislodged door jettison handle. 
        The pilot realized that he may have inadvertently caused the incident 
        when he stored his coat behind the pilot seat for the flight.
	
	The jettison handle is normally protected by both a safety wire and a 
        piece of plastic over the handle itself. Shortly after the aircraft was 
        returned from maintenance 10 days earlier, it was noted that the plastic 
        piece was broken. However, it was determined that with the safety wire 
        in place on a door that is not used, the aircraft could remain in 
        service. There was no other damage to the aircraft, which was back in 
        service Saturday morning.
  
SOURCE	
	Ira Blumen, MD Progam/Medical Director UCAN

VIA	
	David Kearns, CONCERN Coordinator
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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,
David Kearns at 800 525 3712 or email: coordinator@concern-network.org.