History of Flight
On June 29, 2008, at 1547 mountain standard time, two Bell 407 EMS helicopters, N407GA (operated by Air Methods Corporation) and N407MJ (operated by Classic Helicopter Services), collided in mid air while approaching the Flagstaff Medical Center (FMC) helipad (3AZ0) in Flagstaff, Arizona. Both helicopters were destroyed. N407GA departed Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) at 1544, and N407MJ departed the Grand Canyon National Park Service South Rim helibase at 1517. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and company flight plans were filed for the Part 135 air medical flights.
Audio recordings were obtained from Classic's communications center (Classic Control), Guardian Control, FMC, and FLG Air Traffic Control Tower. At 1516, the Air Methods pilot (Angel 1) contacted Guardian Control and reported departing Winslow with four people on board. At 1517, the Classic pilot (Lifeguard 2) contacted Classic Control and reported departing the south rim with four people en route to FMC. At 1523, the Classic dispatcher informed Guardian Control that Lifeguard 2 was en route and would be arriving from the north. Guardian Control then informed the Classic dispatcher that Angel 1 was also en route. At 1532, Lifeguard 2 reported 15 minutes from landing, which was the last communication from that crew. Angel 1 landed at FLG at 1541 to drop off a flight nurse due to weight considerations, departed at 1543, and at 1544 reported being two minutes from the hospital, which was their last communication. At 1550, the Classic dispatcher called Guardian Control asking about contact with Lifeguard 2, receiving a negative response.
A surveillance camera on a parking garage at FMC captured the collision. The video showed one helicopter approaching from the north and one from the south, both descending after the collision. The NTSB examined the video and extracted still images. N407GA was equipped with a GPS tracking system recording position every 30 seconds; data showed a straight line from FLG to the accident site about 1/4-mile east of the FMC helipad, with no turn onto final approach. N407MJ had a GPS system recording every five minutes, and its last recorded position was about ten miles northwest of the helipad; a handheld GPS in the wreckage had no usable stored data. No FAA radar services were available for the airspace surrounding FMC.
Witnesses reported seeing the collision. One witness observed a helicopter traveling west to east turning south, and a second helicopter coming from east to west at the same altitude, stating the first collided with the second. Other witnesses observed an Air Methods helicopter approaching from the south and east on a usual landing pattern, and a second helicopter approaching from the right. One witness heard a helicopter from the north, then a second from the south, and saw the northbound helicopter clip the rotor of the southbound helicopter while both were turning toward the hospital. Several witnesses saw both helicopters descending into wooded terrain about 1/2-mile east of the heliport, with a small fire and loud explosion about ten minutes after the collision.
Personnel Information
The pilot of N407GA, age 51, held a commercial pilot certificate with instrument ratings and a first-class medical certificate. He had about 5,241 total hours, including 4,500 hours in helicopters. He was hired by Air Methods on October 7, 2003, and served as Safety Officer and Safety Coordinator. The flight nurse dropped off at FLG before the accident had been employed with Northern Arizona Healthcare for four years. The pilot of N407MJ, age 55, held a commercial pilot certificate with instrument ratings and a second-class medical certificate. He had about 14,500 total hours, including 9,780 hours in helicopters. He was hired by Classic on May 7, 2007, and had extensive Grand Canyon experience. The Classic flight nurse and flight paramedic were both on the last day of a back-to-back three-day shift.
Aircraft Information
N407GA was a 1997 Bell 407, serial number 53104, powered by a Rolls-Royce/Allison 250-C47B engine. It had accumulated 9,372.6 total flight hours. The helicopter was maintained under an FAA Approved Aircraft Inspection Program, with the most recent inspections completed on June 21, 2008. N407MJ was a 1996 Bell 407, serial number 53079, with the same engine type. It had 4,540.3 total flight hours. The most recent progressive inspection was completed on June 19, 2008. On June 27, 2008, its engine was replaced due to cracking on the exhaust gas collector, and on June 25, the tail rotor yoke assembly was replaced because feathering bearings were loose. Both helicopters had tri-color paint schemes and were equipped with high visibility anti-collision strobe lights.
Meteorological Information
At 1456, the FLG METAR reported wind from 320 degrees at 7 knots gusting to 14, visibility 10 statute miles or greater, sky clear, temperature 26°C, dew point -1°C, altimeter 30.37 inHg. At 1556, wind from 240 degrees at 8 knots, visibility 10 miles, sky clear, temperature 28°C, dew point -3°C, altimeter 30.33 inHg.
Communications and Dispatch
Guardian Control, operated by Guardian Air, is a full-time 24/7 communications center co-located with Air Methods at FLG. It is staffed by transportation coordinators trained under an FAA approved program. Classic Control is the communications center for Classic Helicopter Services. The FMC emergency department staff received medical reports from both crews via phone and radio, but did not provide information about the other helicopter en route. There is no requirement for hospital staff to provide such information.
Wreckage and Impact
Both helicopters were destroyed. The collision occurred about 1/4-mile east of the FMC helipad. The video evidence and witness accounts indicate that the two helicopters collided while both were approaching the helipad from different directions.