Stanford Life Flight - Non-injury incident

Date: 12/26/08 0028 PST

Program: Stanford Life Flight
	300 Pasteur Drive
	Stanford, Ca 94305

Type: EC 145
Tail #: N145SU
Operator/Vendor: Air Methods Corporation

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

Description: 
	At approximately 0030 local time 12/26, on an interfacility transport
	with patient on board, the pilot noticed dual caution lights alerting
	him to an engine pressure condition on both engines.  This was
	followed shortly after by an indication that the automatic torque
	matching system was not keeping the engine torques matched, followed
	soon thereafter by fluctuating torques and the perception of higher
	than normal requirements for power.  Because of the unusual and
	rapidly devolving situation, the pilot elected to proceed to the
	nearest airfield which also had Crash, Fire, and Rescue services
	onsite.  A precautionary running landing was performed and aircraft
	was shut down normally.  A ground ambulance transported patient and
	crew on to the hospital.  The duty mechanic conducted troubleshooting
	and found indications that a VEMD computer was malfunctioning. 
	However, subsequently it was discovered that a malfunctioning
	(shorting) torque transducer was actually causing all erroneous
	indications.  Once it was replaced, the aircraft was returned to
	service with no further malfunction indications.
	 
	The EC-145 is highly dependant on computer inputs from all manners of
	sensors and sources to provide the pilot with data and functioning
	systems.  This particular emergency was not one that had been seen
	previously and there was no clear indication that the malfunction was
	limited to one engine or one sensor input.  Although the outcome (the
	precautionary landing) might have been the same result for a clear
	indication of a malfunctioning torque system, it was considered the
	prudent action to get the aircraft safely on deck where assistance was
	available, if needed, and the surroundings were conducive to a low
	power, single engine approach profile. 
	

Source: Sonya M. Ruiz, Chief Flight Nurse

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