Life Flight-Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center - Non-injuryincident

Date: 8-4-2007 1540 MTN

Program: Life Flight-Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center
	1055 N. Curtis Road
	Boise, ID 83706

Type: EC-135
Tail #: N92LF
Operator/Vendor: CJ Systems Aviation Group

Weather: Clear. Not a factor

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

Description: 
	"Life Flight 76" was en route to an area east of Twin Falls, Idaho to
	search for a lost child.  While in cruise flight at 5,500 feet ASL
	the pilot spotted 2 small helium party balloons at his altitude. 
	After a quick scan to ensure visual separation with the balloons he
	looked back at 12 O'clock just prior to impacting a large hawk.  An
	evasive maneuver was attempted but the bird struck in the center of
	the nose of the aircraft between both plexiglass windows, just above
	the fixed landing light.  It did penetrate the aircraft skin but no
	debris flew into the cockpit.  The aircraft then landed immediately
	and without difficulty in an undeveloped area.  The program's PAIP
	was initiated and the mission was cancelled shortly thereafter by the
	requesting agency.  

Additional Info: 
	The aircraft remains grounded at the LZ until a Ferry Permit is
	received from the FAA to fly the aircraft to the maintenance facility
	at the Boise Airport.  A back-up aircraft was moved to Twin Falls to
	service the area.                

Source: Eric E. Kincaid, Chief Flight Paramedic

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Copyright 2007 ASTNA