Enloe FlightCare - Non-injury incident

Date: 08/01/08 2115 PST

Program: Enloe FlightCare
	1531 Esplanade
	Chico, CA  95926

Type: AS 350B2
Tail #: N922RJ
Operator/Vendor: Own Part 135

Weather: Clear. Not a factor

Team: Pilot, Flight Nurse, Flight Paramedic. No injuries reported. Patient on board. 

Description: 
	On August 1, 2008, at 2115 hours, Enloe FlightCare was returning from
	an interfacility transfer with a patient on board when they
	experienced a near miss with a Cessna type fixed wing aircraft in the
	vicinity of the local airport.  The control tower was closed.
	FlightCare initially announced on the common traffic advisory
	frequency that they were seven miles NE of the airport, transitioning
	to the hospital which is located three miles to the south of the
	airport. A commerical aircraft reported that they were seven miles
	south of the airport inbound for landing.  FlightCare and the
	commercial aircraft coordinated altitude and spacing between
	themselves during several different radio calls.  There was no other
	traffic seen or heard in the airport environment. FlightCare was
	descending out of 2200 feet and was just Northeast of the airport
	preparing to cross midfield when the flight crew assisted by night
	vision goggles suddenly saw an aircraft off to the 8 o'clock position
	at less than 100 feet and converging.  FlightCare continued their
	descent and the aircraft passed over the helicopter.  FlightCare
	contacted the commercial aircraft and told them they had had a near
	miss with an aircraft.  The commercial aircraft reported that they
	picked up the other aircraft on their TCAS but had never visualized it
	or heard it on the radio.

Additional Info: 
	Following the incident, FlightCare initiated a safety stand down for
	the night.  The next day a critical incident stress debrief/defuse was
	held with the flight crew involved in the incident.

Source: Judy Cline, RN, BSN, CFRN; Chief Flight Nurse

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