LifeFlight of Maine - Non-injury incident

Date: 3/6/08 1905 EST

Program: LifeFlight of Maine
	P.O. Box 940
	Bangor, ME  04401

Type: Agusta 109E Power 
Tail #: N901EM
Operator/Vendor: Era Med

Weather: Clear visibility unrestricted Night (unaided)

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

Description: 
	Shortly after departure from a city hospital helipad in class B
	airspace the LifeFlight aircraft avoided a midair collision. 
	LifeFlight aircraft was cleared to operate along an approved
	helicopter VFR route when it encountered a helicopter with no external
	lights displayed.  Pilot estimates aircraft passed at less than one
	hundred feet during evasive maneuvering.
	
	ATC was contacted immediately and other helicopter was challenged. 
	Pilot responded that ?Nav lights are on but the strobes are
	inoperative but at least the switches are all on (sic)?..
	
	Crew debriefed importance of looking for not just the expected but
	the unexpected as well.
	
	

Additional Info: 
	Near miss has been submitted to the FAA for further invetigation.

Source: Thomas P. Judge  Executive Director, LifeFlight of Maine 

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