History of Flight
On October 19, 2012, about 2215 mountain standard time, an Agusta A119 helicopter, registration N207CF and designated CareFlight 14, sustained minor damage while standing under power after colliding with a 26-foot box van truck. The incident occurred approximately 17 nautical miles northwest of Dolan Springs, Arizona. The helicopter, operated by TriState CareFlight of Bullhead City, Arizona, was an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) aircraft. On board were the pilot, a flight nurse, and a paramedic; the three individuals in the truck were uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the flight was originating at the time under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 with a company flight plan active. The intended destination was Kingman Airport (IGM), Kingman, Arizona.
Crew Statements
The pilot reported that he was running the engine up after being released from an accident scene. The helicopter was positioned on the shoulder of the right northbound lane facing south. Upon reaching 100 percent engine power, he noticed traffic flowing in the far left lane. He commented to the paramedic about the traffic proximity, and about 5 to 10 seconds later, the helicopter was struck by a 26-foot box truck at the tip path plane of the main rotor blades. He shut down the engine and found extensive damage to all four blade tips. The pilot noted that the paramedic had requested traffic to be stopped until the helicopter departed, but that request was not honored.
The flight nurse stated that after landing and being released, he and the paramedic informed a DPS officer of their intention to lift off and requested that the road not be opened until they departed. While standing outside monitoring traffic during engine start, he observed a DPS vehicle leading a line of cars. He used a flashlight to direct traffic away from the rotor. After entering the helicopter and securing himself, he saw sparks and heard loud bangs, followed by violent shaking. The pilot shut down the engine.
The paramedic reported that he asked a DPS sergeant not to open the highway until they lifted off. The sergeant responded that the helicopter should have been on the berm and that the lane would be opened. After the helicopter in front departed, the paramedic stood outside while the pilot started the engine, then took his seat. He saw traffic approaching; two or three vehicles passed safely, but a Ryder truck struck the main rotor blades. The pilot shut down immediately.
Other Witness Statements
The driver of the box van stated that after traffic was released and he entered a clear lane, he heard the side of the truck being struck. He opined that no traffic should have been allowed while the helicopter was running.
A DPS sergeant reported that after speaking with the paramedic, he understood the helicopter was "off right" and advised that northbound traffic would be released soon. He stated that neither he nor the command post received a request to stop traffic from the CareFlight 14 crew, and that traffic had been moving for 10 to 15 minutes before the collision.
Another DPS officer stated that he directed the pilot to position the helicopter further east on the shoulder. He requested that the pilot rotate the main rotor blades out of the left northbound lane before traffic reopened; the pilot complied while the helicopter was shut down. This officer reported that traffic was held for the forward helicopter to depart, then reopened; he estimated CareFlight 14 had been on the ground for over 20 minutes before the collision.
The Lake Mohave Ranchos Fire Department Incident Captain (IC) stated that he requested traffic be held until the two remaining helicopters departed. He approached a DPS officer to stop traffic just before the collision but was ignored. The IC heard the CareFlight 14 crew yell "We are going to make contact" two seconds prior to impact.
Damage to Helicopter
The helicopter's airframe was not damaged, but all four main rotor blade tips were damaged. Subsequent inspection showed no structural damage to the blade structures. The helicopter's drive train was not subject to post-incident inspection as the event was not classified as a sudden stoppage. The main rotor blades were replaced, and the aircraft was returned to service.
Additional Information
The source includes guidance from the Aeronautical Information Manual on Emergency Medical Service Multiple Helicopter Operations and Traffic Incident Management, but no causal links or conclusions are drawn from this information in the original report.