UMass Memorial Life Flight - Non-injury incident

Date: 12/3/2006 15:30 EST

Program: UMass Memorial Life Flight
	55 Lake Ave North
	Worcester Ma. 01655

Type: EC145
Tail #: N145LF
Operator/Vendor: Air Methods

Weather: Clear. Not a factor

Team: No injuries reported. No patient. 

Description: 
	During recent construction on a new helipad parking area two trenches
	had been cut to allow the placement of drains to remove collecting
	rain water. At the end of the day the construction workers placed
	large pieces of plywood, overlapped and nailed together to cover the
	trenches and flagged with caution tape. Area was inspected and deemed
	safe.  Shortly after the aircraft departed on a patient mission
	without incident.  After dropping pt. off at another facility the
	aircraft was returning to base and on short final the PIC noted that
	several of the plywood sheets had come loose and were in-flight over
	the parking spot.  The pilot immediately initiated a go-around and
	landed on an adjacent helipad without further incident.

Additional Info: 
	After landing the helipad was shut down until all pieces of plywood
	were removed.  Further investigation showed that the plywood "flew"
	approx 30yards into an adjacent parking lot. 
	The hospital has since done a complete investigation and has met with
	all contractors to avoid any further possible incidents. 

Source: Rory Duquette, Communications Director

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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.

Copyright 2006 ASTNA