PAIP DRILL 07-30-2014 Scenario: Lifeguard 4 (N407CP) had just completed a patient transport from Ashley Regional Hospital to the University of Utah Hospital. After getting fuel in Woods Cross, LG4 departed eastbound back to Vernal. The crew consisted of Pilot Jack M, Nurse Shelly P and Paramedic Holly W. Weather was green and there were no TFR s in the area or along the intended flight path back to Vernal. While en-route back to Vernal, LG4 suffered a loss of engine oil pressure and landed as soon as possible in an open area just south of the Smith and Moorehouse Reservoir in Summit County. Below is a summary and chronological review of the incident. Air Medical Communications Specialist: James Marzo: Full-time ACS with 3 months of experience first PAIP DRILL. Paul Matheson ACS Supervisor with 3 months of experience First PAIP DRILL. Summary: At 1055 hours, LG4 called in an OPS NORMAL position report giving the coordinates of N40 43.029 X W111 18.257 with a heading of 090 and an ETE of 40 minutes. At 1100 hours the quick position alarm sounded. At the time of the alarm, LG4 showed 0 airspeed and an altitude of approximately 8,300 feet at N40 43.029 X W111 04.661. James responded without hesitation to the SkyRouter Alarm by hovering his mouse over the LG4 icon and pinging the aircraft. When James observed that the airspeed was showing 0 both in the ping response and while hovering his mouse over the aircraft, he suspected there was a problem and he initiated the PAIP by grabbing the PAIP binder from the bookshelf and completing his duties and responsibilities as outlined. Paul Matheson (Com-Center Supervisor) was already in the office at the time of the incident and began assisting James with the PAIP. James used Google Maps to find a general area as to where LG4 may be located and found that AirMed was the closest air medical agency that could respond to assist from their Park City, UT base. AirMed launched immediately upon our request and
began flying to the coordinates given by the quick position on SkyRouter. James then called the LG22 (N247N) day pilot, Ryan O. and requested that he launch and fly to the quick position coordinates to provide the assurance to any survivors that we are/were aware of the incident and that help was/is on the way. LG22 was also the closest Classic asset that could get eyes on the situation and advise as to what type of response is/was needed. James then attempted to make contact with LG4 by calling the aircraft cell phone and satellite phone, however both attempts were unsuccessful. James then tried contacting each crewmember on their personal cell phones, also with no success. James continued with his duties on the PAIP and called Tony Henderson (CEO). Tony answered and James gave which aircraft was involved, where it was en-route to and the coordinates from the normal position report and the quick position report. Tony advised he would contact Kory Hale (Director of Operations). James then called Wade Patten (Program Director) and gave Wade all of the information that we had up to this point. James then called Summit County Sheriffs Office to advise them of the situation and request their assistance. Summit County Sheriff advised they had received a phone call from a cabin owner near Smith and Moorehouse Reservoir who observed a blue and white helicopter that was flying low and had possibly crash landed nearby. Summit County advised that they had two deputies en-route to investigate. James asked Summit County to also initiate a Search and Rescue by sending technical rescue teams, including fire and EMS apparatus to the general area. Summit County agreed and advised they would be using the statewide frequency and gave the ground contact of Summit 5 and Summit 6. Adam West (Chief Pilot) called the Com- Center at the direction of Kory Hale at this time to get the last known coordinates of LG4 and to ascertain if a search and rescue had been initiated as this information was not given to Tony on the first call. AirMed called and advised that their helicopter had located our helicopter a short distance away from the quick position coordinates. AirMed gave the new coordinates of N40 44.602 X W111 05.991, advised that LG4 appeared to be upright and that their helicopter would be landing and off comms while on the ground. James attempts to call Kory, however Kory is on the phone and is unable to answer.
James calls Adam and tells him that AirMed is on scene and has observed the aircraft to be upright and that AirMed will be landing shortly. LG22 calls and advises he has arrived in the search area. James gives LG22 the new coordinates and while still on the phone, LG22 spots the scene and advises he will be orbiting at 8,900 feet (500 feet AGL). LG22 advises that it appears that AirMed is on the ground and still spinning. LG22 also advises that there are multiple people up and walking around and that LG4 is upright and does not appear to be damaged. James calls Kory and gives him this updated information from LG22. Kory then gives this information to Adam who is preparing to launch in one of the utility helicopters. James calls Summit County and gives them the new coordinates and advises them that AirMed is on scene and that our airplane is orbiting above. Several minutes pass before AirMed calls and advises that their aircraft has lifted and is departing. AirMed advises that their crew made contact with our crew who advised that they made a precautionary landing with power due to a low oil pressure warning. AirMed advises that there is no damage to the aircraft and no injuries to the flight crew. AirMed also advises that our pilot has requested that a mechanic respond to the scene with our response team and that the local law enforcement continue their response to secure the scene. James advises that we have a Pilatus PC-12 orbiting at 8,900 feet and thanks AirMed for their help. James calls Kory to advise him of the updated information from AirMed. Kory calls Tony and Wade and leaves messages for both of them letting them know that LG4 has made a precautionary landing and that there is no damage to the aircraft and no injuries to the flight crew. James then calls Summit County and advises that the search and rescue can be cancelled but asks that Summit County Sheriff continue its deputies to the scene to provide security for the aircraft. Summit County agrees and advises that their deputies will be arriving shortly. James calls LG22 on the satellite phone and advises he can clear the scene and return to base. Adam West and several mechanics depart in a Bell 206 at 1145 hours to respond to the scene and this concludes the PAIP DRILL.
Time Line of Events: 1055 LG4 gives position report of N40 42.999 X W111 18.257 / heading of 090 and ETE of 40 minutes to Vernal. 1100 Quick position goes off. 1101 James pings the aircraft on SkyRouter and hovers his mouse over the aircraft, both the ping and the aircraft indicate 0 airspeed at an altitude of approximately 8,300 feet. Quick position Coordinates: N40 43.029 X W111 04.661. 1102 James grabs the PAIP from the bookshelf and begins filling out the Known Aircraft Incident as this is a level one incident as defined in the PAIP. 1103 James opens Google Maps and begins plugging in coordinates to get a general idea as to where to send Search and Rescue crews. 1104 James locates the general area on Google Maps. 1105 James calls AirMed and requests they launch their Park City based helicopter to initiate the Search and Rescue. 1106 James calls LG22 pilot and gives him coordinates from the quick position report and requests that he launches, as LG22 is the closest and quickest Classic Asset in the area. 1107 James attempts to call LG4 s cell phone and satellite phone with no success. 1108 James attempts calling each crewmembers cell phone with no success. *1110 James calls Tony Henderson (CEO) and gives him which aircraft, the destination of the aircraft and the last known position; however, James forgets to tell Tony that the Search and Rescue has been initiated with AirMed and LG22. 1111 James calls Wade Patten (Program Director) and advises him of the incident. 1112 Tony Calls Kory Hale (Director of Operations). 1113 James contacts Summit County Dispatch and requests their assistance. Summit County advises that two deputies are en-route to the area as they received a phone call from a cabin owner in the area who stated he saw a blue and white helicopter flying low in the area and then POSSIBLY crash land in an open area. 1114 Kory advises Adam West (Chief Pilot) of possible incident. 1115 Kory contacts Raymond Walchli (Director of Maintenance) who advises he is not available and that Travis (Operations) is not available. Kory is advised to contact
Martin and that Martin will assume Director of Maintenance responsibilities with regards to the PAIP. 1117 Kory contacts Clint Jensen (Director of Safety) and advises him of the incident. Kory also asks Clint to track down Martin. *1119 Adam calls the Com-Center and requests crew names as well as the coordinates as to where LG4 s quick position went off. Adam also confirms that the Search and Rescue has been initiated, to which James responds in the affirmative. 1120 AirMed arrives on scene and gives new coordinates of where the aircraft is located: N40 44.602 X W111 05.991. 1122 James attempts to call Kory to give him updated information but Kory does not answer. 1123 James calls Adam and gives him the updated information from AirMed. 1123 Martin is contacted and assumes the Director of Maintenance Role. 1124 LG22 arrives on scene and is given new coordinates. LG22 locates the scene and begins orbiting at 8,900 feet. 1126 Tony Ivins (Vernal Base Manager) calls to confirm the PAIP DRILL. 1127 James calls Summit County to give updated coordinates. 1130 AirMed lifts from the scene and advises that LG4 made a precautionary landing with power due to a low oil pressure warning. There is no damage to the aircraft and no injuries to the crew. AirMed advises that the pilot has requested a mechanic respond with our response team and that responding law enforcement continue to provide scene security. 1132 James calls Kory and gives him updated information. 1132 Adam collects weather information for the area 1133 James calls Summit County Dispatch and cancels the Search and Rescue but requests that the deputies continue their response. 1134 Kory leaves message for Tony with updated information. 1135 James calls LG22 and advises he can clear the scene and return to base. 1136 Kory calls Wade and leaves message with updated information. 1145 Adam launches with Martin and another mechanic in N206SG (Bell 206 L4) to respond to the scene. This concludes the PAIP DRILL.
Conclusion: The above asterisks (*) indicate where improvements need to take place, which was discussed in the debrief following this scenario. At 1110 when James called Tony H to advise him of the incident, Tony H was not able to write down the coordinates, which aircraft was involved or the destination of the aircraft. This information was given very quickly to Tony H and when Tony H called Kory H, Tony H was unable to relay this information. James also forgot to tell Tony H that a Search and Rescue had been initiated using AirMed and LG22. This information was later verified at 1119 by Adam W, which during the debrief, we found that several minutes had been wasted to get this information. Kory H also indicated that no one in the Com-Center contacted the Page Com- Center to let them know what was going on. This is/was a crucial oversight by Supervisor Paul Matheson, which was reviewed and will be added to the PAIP. The final item that was discussed in the debrief is that everyone involved needs to remember to write down the exact times while performing PAIP duties and responsibilities. Overall, this was a successful (first) PAIP DRILL for the Woods Cross Com-Center where procedures were followed almost exactly and the outcome resulted in a learning experience for all involved.