History of Flight
On November 19, 2017, at about 1855 central standard time, a Bell 407 helicopter, registration N620PA, impacted terrain near Stuttgart, Arkansas. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Air Methods Corporation under Part 135 regulations. The flight was a positioning flight under company visual flight rules, originating from Pine Bluff, Arkansas, at 1820, en route to pick up a patient in Helena, Arkansas. The helicopter transmitted its position via satellite communications. The last recorded data point at 1855:50 indicated a heading of 070°, speed of 116 knots, and altitude of 1,252 ft mean sea level. When satellite tracking was lost, the company initiated a search; wreckage was located several hours later. No witnesses were identified.
Personnel Information
The pilot was a former military helicopter pilot with experience in AH-64 and OH-58 aircraft. He had been employed as a helicopter air ambulance pilot for over three years and was assigned to the Pine Bluff area on September 30, 2016.
Aircraft Information
The Bell 407 was modified via a supplemental type certificate for helicopter air ambulance operations. The aircraft was certificated under 14 CFR Part 27, which does not include bird strike safety requirements for the windshield. In contrast, transport category rotorcraft require certification per 14 CFR 29.631 to withstand a 2.2 lb bird strike. The accident involved multiple birds weighing over 4 lbs each.
Meteorological Information
A weather study revealed no weather hazards at the time of the accident. Dark night conditions prevailed with the sun and moon more than 15° below the horizon, providing no lunar illumination. The nearest cultural lights were over 13 miles away.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The helicopter was found on the bank of a reservoir on its right side, oriented on a heading of about 205°. A postimpact fire consumed most of the fuselage. Flight controls were fractured and fire-damaged; fractures were consistent with overload. Control continuity was observed from the swashplate to the main rotor pitch change links. Main rotor blades remained attached to the hub but were fractured in multiple locations. Tail rotor drive shaft segments were continuous, and the tail rotor rotated freely. Fragments of the pilot's night vision goggles were found near the controls; company policy required NVG use during night flights. Numerous geese, ducks, and cranes were observed in the reservoir area. Multiple bird remains were found from the cockpit to the first bulkhead. Samples were sent to the Smithsonian Institution for analysis.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy conducted by the Arkansas Crime Laboratory determined the cause of death for the pilot as multiple injuries. White bird feathers were embedded in the pilot's coveralls and right boot. Toxicology testing performed by the FAA was negative for all tested substances.
Tests and Research
The Smithsonian Institution identified the bird remains as snow geese, with average weights of 4.8 lbs (females) and 5.48 lbs (males). A review of the FAA Wildlife Strike Database revealed a prior snow goose strike involving a Cessna 210 near the same area on November 17, 2011. The US Air Force Bird Avoidance Model indicated severe strike probability at dusk and moderate at night for the accident area. Civilian pilots are not required to use this model, and the investigation could not determine if the pilot was aware of the information.
Additional Information
No preimpact anomalies were detected during postaccident examination of the helicopter airframe or engine. The helicopter was operating under night conditions with no cultural lighting nearby.