A IA1124 Westwind lifeguard flight crew reported a departure track deviation after the First Officer failed to correctly enter the SID and the Captain did not check the flight plan.
Synopsis
A IA1124 Westwind lifeguard flight crew reported a departure track deviation after the First Officer failed to correctly enter the SID and the Captain did not check the flight plan.
Narrative
Flight was operating as a lifeguard. After a ferry flight I requested IFR clearance from clearance delivery. After reading back the clearance I proceeded to store the route in the onboard Garmin 530s (2). I built the route and then flight plan route to our destination. In the Garmin GPS one cannot store the SID or STAR this must be done after activating the stored route. After engine start will normally select and activate the desired flight plan and then load the desired SID and STAR. Patient arrived more than one hour late; aircraft was hot and the air conditioning leaves something to be desired. We quickly prepared for flight. After engine start I downloaded the stored flight plan; completed checklists and departed. TRACON shortly after departure cleared the flight direct our first filed fix. Climbing I engaged the autopilot at 10;000 FT flight was handed off to Center. Clearance was given to FL210. Passing 13800 Center issued flight a hard left turn to 270 degrees and to maintain current altitude which was 14000 FT. Conflicting traffic maintained FL180. We were then asked to verify our assigned route. I then realized that after activating the stored flight plan I had failed to download and install the SID. I blame myself for trying to expedite our departure (I know better) and as a lifeguard flight we are normally traffic permitting; cleared direct so I did not question our flight path. I also operate with different FMS. It would be most helpful if they operated somewhat similar.
Second reporter narrative
We were operating as a lifeguard flight. I briefed the flight and medical crew as to the dispatched flights and explained we had a full day and that we needed to be efficient with our time if we were to complete all flights scheduled. I filed the first two legs before leaving before our first flight. After arriving at our first destination; medical team went with ambulance to get patient and the First Officer obtained the clearance and loaded the clearance into the Garmin 530. I ordered fuel and supervised the fueling. We then briefed the clearance and discussed that First Officer would load SID after activating flight plan. The patient arrived and was loaded. We taxied out for departure and I asked if the clearance was loaded and First Officer said it was. I did not check the flight plan to see if it had been loaded properly. After takeoff we were given direct our first filed fix and Center cleared us to FL210. I ran all checklists and punched in direct the fix. Autopilot was engaged in Nav mode and at fix we sequenced to the airway. Passing through 12;700 FT we were instructed to make a hard left to 270 degrees and maintain 14;000 FT. We were then asked to verify our route which was as filed. I pulled the departure out and it was then I realized that the SID had never been loaded. I being the pilot in command asked and briefed the clearance but I failed to verify that it was implemented properly. I will never make this mistake again.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.