Carilion Clinic Life Guard - Non-injury incident

Date: September 24, 2008   1412  EST

Program: Carilion Clinic Life Guard 
	431 McClanahan Ave  
	Roanoke VA 24012  
	 
	

Type: EC 135
Tail #: N135ED
Operator/Vendor: Air Methods

Weather: Clear. Not a factor

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

Description: 
	The aircraft was en route from Roanoke, VA to Christiansburg, VA
	(Life-Guard 11 base), after completion of a PR in Roanoke. While en
	route, a Transmission Chip Light illuminated. Per Eurocopter
	guidelines, an attempt to use the fuzz burn procedure was completed,
	with success. The light illuminated a second time, and the fuzz burn
	procedure was again utilized, without success. The decision was made
	to make a precautionary landing. A church parking lot was immediately
	identified as the most suitable landing area. The CCPT Comm Center was
	notified of their intentions, along with the current lat / long
	coordinates. Upon landing, the flight paramedic confirmed the name of
	the church and called the CCPT Comm Center via cell phone. The Comm
	Center notified local police for assistance with securing the LZ. The
	CCPT medical crew was picked up and transported via ground to their
	base, by the CCPT Director for Ground-EMS. The mechanic was dispatched
	to the scene. The oil was changed, the gear box flushed, followed by a
	10 minute penalty run and a 5 - 10 minute penalty hover, as per the
	maintenance manual. The aircraft was then placed back in service, as
	per manufacturer guidelines. 
	

Additional Info: 
	On the initial flight to Roanoke, Va from the base in Christiansburg,
	VA, the same chip light illuminated.  The fuzz burn procedure cleared
	the chip light.  The aircraft was inspected by maintenance staff and
	the helicopter was flown locally without activation of the chip light.
	 
	 
	A debriefing with the medical crew and administration, along with Air
	Methods pilot and mechanic representatives has since been completed. 
	
	

Source: Susan Smith, Director, Carilion Clinic Life-Guard and CCPT C

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