Hall Critical Care Transport - Non-injury incident

Date: 12/09/2008 1450 PST

Program: Hall Critical Care Transport
	1801 Skyway Drive
	Bakersfield, CA 93308

Type: Bell 407
Tail #: N905HA
Operator/Vendor: Air Methods

Weather: Visibility-8 miles, Ceiling-Clear, haze

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

Description: 
	Departed Meadows Field (KBFL) for a scene call to the Northwest. 
	About 4 miles from airport, pilot noticed a fixed-wing aircraft at the
	12 o'clock position, same altitude, 1/4 mile away, and on a head-on
	course.  After taking evasive action to avoid a head-on collision,
	pilot contacted the tower and asked if they were in communication with
	the other aircraft.  Controller stated "Yes I am."
	
	The flight continued on course and our aircraft departed the Class D
	airspace.  The pilot then turned on the Comm 2 to self-announce and
	monitor the Shafter-Minter Field (MIT) frequency.  MIT is uncontrolled
	airspace and falls just outside of BFL's Class D airspace.
	
	As the pilot was about to announce his position, he spotted a
	twin-engine Cessna at the 2 o'clock position, approximately 100'
	below, and less than 1/4 mile away.  Again, the pilot took evasive
	action to avoid the second aircraft.  The pilot then self-announced
	our position and stated that he had the Cessna in sight.  The Cessna
	pilot made a call-out after this.
	
	As the flight continued, the visibility began to drop due to
	thickening haze and the reflection from the sun.  The flight was
	aborted and the return to base was uneventful.
	

Additional Info: 
	The pilot contacted the BFL Tower Supervisor about the incident.  The
	supervisor stated it was a "new controller," he was aware of the
	incident, and would be meeting with the controller about it.  A
	post-flight debrief was conducted.

Source: Myron Smith, Program Director

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