Intermountain Life Flight - Non-injury incident

Date: May 8, 2008 0930 MST

Program: Intermountain Life Flight
	250 North 2370 West
	Salt Lake City, UT  84116

Type: B200
Tail #: N301HC

Weather: Clear. Not a factor

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

Description: 
	Immediately after liftoff from Salt Lake City International Airport
	the pilot observed a significant power loss in the left engine. 
	Believing he had an engine failure, the pilot retarded throttles to
	both engines and landed straight ahead on the runway remaining without
	further incident.

Additional Info: 
	It was determined that the engine power loss was the result of the
	left side throttle inadvertently moving back toward idle.  The primary
	cause of this incident was insufficient friction set on the left side
	throttle.  Contributing factors include the following:
	
	1-	This particular throttle had a pronounced tendency to return to
	the mid position from the takeoff position.  Following a discussion
	with a Beechcraft technical representative it was determined that this
	phenomenon was acceptable, and indicative of a ?smooth power lever
	cable function.?  
	2-	This particular throttle had a weak friction lock, requiring
	significant torque to produce effective friction.  The friction lock
	mechanism was subsequently cleaned, resulting in normal performance.
	3-	This pilot is in the habit of taking off with two hands on the
	control yoke, leaving the throttle quadrant unguarded.  It was later
	learned that some FlightSafety instructors promote this technique. 
	This procedure will be reviewed at the next scheduled incident review
	board.
	

Source: Kent Johnson, Chief Pilot

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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 2007 ASTNA