Metro Aviation 350B2 Hard Landing
Program: MedStat Air
201 Airport Dr
Winona, MS 38967
Type: AS350B2
Tail #: N810LE
Operator/Vendor: Metro Aviation
Weather: Clear. Not a factor
Team: Pilot, Flight Nurse, Flight Paramedic. Injuries. Patient on board.
Description:
On September 19, 2013 an interfacility flight originated in Ackerman,
MS en route to Jackson, MS. During the flight a low engine oil
pressure indicator warning light illuminated. The pilot noticed a low
torque reading and that there was no rise in the oil or engine
temperatures. Shortly after, the pilot saw a rise in the engine
temperature gauge and lowered the collective. He then observed the
engine temperature rising at a higher rate and located an open field
in order to perform an emergency landing. The engine lost total power
prior to reaching the open field and the pilot attempted a night time
autorotation under NVGs. The pilot cleared the tree line and made a
hard landing in an open field surrounded by trees. The aircraft
sustained significant damage to the landing gear, tail rotor and tail
boom.
Additional Info:
All crew members were able to exit the aircraft after emergency shut
down procedures of the battery and fuel supply. The pilot sustained
injuries to his back and both medical crew members sustained minor
orthopedic injuries. The patient remained secured on the stretcher
during the event and sustained no further injuries. The patient
transport was completed by another company aircraft.
Investigation continues into the cause, though preliminary reports
indicate an internal oil seal failure.