History of Flight
On December 29, 2010, at 0223 eastern standard time, a Eurocopter BK117-C2, registration N854EC, operated by Air Methods Corporation, executed a hard landing during an emergency landing at Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station (Cunningham Field) (NKT), Cherry Point, North Carolina. The pilot became partially incapacitated during the flight. The helicopter had departed from Pitt County Memorial Hospital Heliport (NC91), Greenville, North Carolina, at 0135 and was en route to Carteret General Hospital, Morehead City, North Carolina. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company visual flight rules flight plan was filed.
The pilot, a certificated airline transport pilot, suffered a medical incapacitation. The two medical flight crewmembers were not injured. The helicopter sustained substantial damage, including damage to the landing gear cross tubes. The flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135.
According to an FAA interview, the pilot reported that at about 2,000 feet and three to four minutes from the destination, he disengaged the autopilot and his right arm fell to his side. He informed the medical crew and the Cherry Point air traffic controller, declared an emergency, and requested to land at NKT. The controller provided radar vectors. A medical crewmember in the left front seat manipulated the collective control following the pilot's instructions, while the pilot operated the cyclic with his left hand. The pilot attempted a run-on landing; upon contact with the runway, the helicopter became airborne again and then touched down a second time.
A written statement from the secondary nurse in the left front seat indicated that the flight was smooth until, at 2,600 feet preparing for descent, the pilot stated he could not move his right arm and his speech became slurred. During the approach to NKT, the nurse pointed out the airport, but the pilot initially flew over it. The controller vectored the helicopter back, and the pilot then acquired the airport. After landing, the primary flight nurse assisted with engine shutdown. Emergency personnel helped the pilot onto a stretcher for transport to a local hospital.
Personnel Information
According to FAA and company records, the pilot was 61 years old and held an Airline Transport Pilot certificate for helicopters and airplanes, with instrument ratings. His most recent second-class medical certificate was issued on August 12, 2010, with limitations including "not valid for any class after August 31, 2011." He had approximately 11,000 total flight hours, including 17 hours in the accident make and model, and had flown 2 hours in the preceding 24 hours. His most recent flight review was on December 2, 2010, in the accident helicopter.
Aircraft Information
The helicopter received an FAA special airworthiness certificate on October 8, 2010, and was registered on June 28, 2010. It was powered by two Turbomeca Arriel 1E2 engines. On December 24, 2010, it underwent an inspection per an approved inspection program. At the time of the accident, the helicopter and engines had 121 total hours each.
Meteorological Information
Weather recorded at NKT at 0154 included wind from 260 degrees at 7 knots, visibility 10 miles, clear skies, temperature -1°C, dew point -7°C, and altimeter setting 30.12 inHg.
Communications
At about 0210, the pilot declared an emergency with Cherry Point Approach control, reporting a medical problem and difficulty flying. The controller informed the pilot of their position and provided vectors. The pilot requested and received clearance to proceed directly to NKT. Around 0214, he requested an ILS approach to runway 23. At about 0219, the helicopter was one mile south of NKT but overflew the airport; the controller vectored it for runway 32R. At 0222, the pilot reported the airport in sight.
Airport Information
Cherry Point MCAS has four runways: 14L/32R, 14R/32L, 5L/23R, and 5R/23L. The helicopter landed on runway 14L, which is 8,984 feet long and 200 feet wide, asphalt, with high-intensity runway edge lights. The control tower was staffed and operational.
Wreckage and Impact Information
According to photographs from an FAA inspector, the helicopter stopped on the runway about 4,000 feet from the approach end of runway 14L. The right vertical stabilizer was scraped along the bottom edge, and the landing gear crosstubes were bowed downward—substantial damage.
Medical and Pathological Information
The pilot's FAA medical records documented a prior small ischemic stroke in July 2006, with recovery. He had a history of high cholesterol and borderline high blood pressure. He was issued special issuance medical certificates in 2008, 2009, and 2010. Post-accident records indicated a recent stroke in the left parietal and superior occipital regions, along with elevated blood pressure. The pilot's height was 68 inches; weight was 253 pounds. Family history included stroke and heart disease.
Additional Information
Post-accident inspection at American Eurocopter revealed buckling of skin panels, damaged landing gear, bent cross tubes, and loose tail boom bolts. No mechanical malfunction was identified prior to the accident.