Incident Overview
On April 8, 2009, at approximately 0100 central standard time, a Bell Helicopter 206/L3, registration N295AE, operated by Air Evac EMS Inc., sustained minor damage during cruise flight near Vick, Texas. The aircraft was conducting an air medical flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 on a company visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the incident.
Flight Details
The helicopter departed Hot Hospital in Brady, Texas, around 0035 and was en route to Shannon Medical Center (03TS) in San Angelo, Texas. On board were the pilot, two crew members, and a passenger. No injuries were reported.
Pilot Report
According to the pilot, he heard and felt a prolonged "thud" during cruise flight at an altitude of 1,000 feet above ground level (agl) and an airspeed of 110 knots. The airframe "wallowed" laterally, and he felt resistance in the cyclic flight control, followed by a return of normal aircraft control. The pilot subsequently made a precautionary landing.
Damage Inspection
An examination of the airframe revealed that the left side vertical winglet of the horizontal stabilizer was missing, and the lower vertical fin leading edge was crumpled. According to the helicopter operator, the vertical stabilizer was not recovered, and no physical evidence was found on the helicopter identifying the object involved in the collision. Inspection of the remaining helicopter systems revealed no anomalies.