Life Flight - Non-injury incident

Date: 1/2/07 2300hrs EST

Program: Life Flight
	Geisinger Health System
	100 Academy Ave.
	Danville, PA 17822-2005

Type: S76A  
Tail #: N311LF
Operator/Vendor: Keystone Helicopter

Weather: Clear. Not a factor

Team: Pilot, Flight Nurse, Flight Paramedic. No injuries reported. No patient. 

Description: 
	While in cruise flight at night during a near full moon phase the
	aircraft apparently hit a large bird.  A loud "thump" was noted by
	the PIC and med crew.  There was no noticeable loss of control or
	change in rotor dynamnics.  The crew aborted the flight and returned
	uneventfully back to the departure airport in St College, PA 

Additional Info: 
	The postflight inspection revealed significant damage and blade
	debonding to the leading edge of one of the main rotor blades
	approximately eight feet from the hub.  There was also minor damage
	to the horizontal stabilizer with a position and strobe light missing
	from the aircraft.  

Source: Jerry Splitt, Life Flight Program 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.

Copyright 2006 ASTNA