UMass Memorial Life Flight - Non-injury incident

Date: 10/1/2007 18:30 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: Pilot, Flight Nurse, Flight Paramedic. No injuries reported. Patient on board. 

Description: 
	A contracted landscaper for the hospital removed sod from an area
	directly in front and below the helipad without department approval. 
	Another aircraft from a neighboring program were doing a backup
	flight.  The visiting aircraft was on final to the hospital pad when
	they experienced a partial ?brown out? situation due to the blowing
	dirt and dust. The pilot did not lose orientation or site of the
	ground and landed without incident.

Additional Info: 
	The hospitals grounds crew were immediately notified and subsequent
	wetting down of the area was done.  A protocol was put in place for
	the following two weeks with the contractor which mandated watering at
	least twice a day until area was suitable for helicopter operations.
	There was no damage to the aircraft.
	
	Follow-Up
	The hospital has instituted a policy that prior to any work being
	started in the proximity of the helipad, must first be approved by
	Life Flight administration.
	

Source: Rory Duquette, Director of EMS/Life Flight Communications

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