What happened
On July 11, 2010, a Bell 407 helicopter, registration PT-YZK, operated by the Brazilian Federal Highway Police (DPRF), was engaged in an emergency medical rescue mission. The crew, which included a pilot, an equipment operator, two doctors, and a nurse, had performed an occasional landing on a public street in the Jardim Atlântico residential area in Olinda, PE, to attend to a victim of cardiac arrest.
Following the medical procedure, the crew prepared for takeoff. During the vertical ascent, a gust of wind caused the aircraft to drift to the left, resulting in the main rotor blades striking the glass cover of a public street light pole. The pilot immediately aborted the takeoff and landed the aircraft back at the same location. There were no injuries to the five occupants, though the aircraft sustained light damage to the main rotor blades and the street light was damaged.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation focused on the environmental constraints and the operational procedures of the mission. Investigators examined the physical dimensions of the landing site, which was a restricted area of approximately 16 meters per side, and noted the presence of obstacles such as power lines, trees, and bystanders. The investigation also reviewed the DPRF's training programs and operational documentation, noting a lack of specific operational limits (such as a General Operations Manual) and a lack of standardized procedures for pilot recurrent training.
Findings
- The pilot's judgment regarding the risks of the landing site contributed to the incident, as the area was highly constrained with significant obstacles.
- Environmental factors, specifically the presence of obstacles and restricted dimensions in the chosen landing area, contributed to the collision.
- A gust of wind likely caused the lateral displacement of the aircraft during takeoff.
- The lack of specific operational parameters and standardized training/recertification procedures within the organization was identified as a contributing factor to the operational environment.