AeroCare Medical Transport - Non-injury incident

Date: 08/21/2009 1500 CST

Program: AeroCare Medical Transport
	PO Box 150003
	Tulsa OK  74115-0003

Type: Cessna 425
Tail #: N425WG
Operator/Vendor: Flight Concepts

Weather: Clear. Not a factor

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

Description: 
	During patient transport from Tulsa to Cincinnati at 27,000 feet
	approximately 2-3 minutes prior to beginning a normal decent into
	Cincinnati, the aircraft experienced a pressurization failure causing
	a rapid decompression. The pilot immediately declared and requested an
	emergent descent and donned his oxygen mask. The patient was already
	receiving supplemental oxygen and saturations were and remained in the
	high 90's. The remaining crew and passengers experienced ear popping
	and were briefed about what happened and oxygen availability if
	required. Masks were located. 
	The descent to 10,000 feet was expedited and supplemental oxygen was
	deemed not necessary for the medical crew or patients mother. 
	Aircraft landed without further incident.
	After landing all people on board the aircraft were polled for
	delayed symptoms, ie. headache, and none reported any.
	

Additional Info: 
	Maintenance determined a clamp failure in the pressurization system.
	It was replaced and the aircraft returned to service.

Source: Michael Paston, Special Ops Coordinator 

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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.

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