Helicopter
Flight Crew Commercial
Distraction; Workload
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Object; Inflight Event / Encounter Object
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Maintenance Action
Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors; Procedure
Summary of Events: A stretcher rolled into the tail rotor of the aircraft at ground idle while loading the patient. The pilot was at the pilot station on the controls. I received a call for a flight to a remote site. Upon confirming weather; I accepted the flight and was directed to head [out]. Ten minutes after receiving the call the aircraft lifted en route. While enroute the flight was diverted to intercept the ambulance. Approximately 15 NM from the intended Landing Zone (LZ); the weather deteriorated but never exceeded company; personal; or crew weather limitations. The aircraft landed at the scene after completing a scene size-up or recon. At that time the nurse requested that I leave the aircraft running. I complied as requested and reduced the throttle to ground idle. The road was shut down and the emergency vehicles were not anticipated to move. The daily briefed included a discussion about hot vs. cold loading and I advised I was willing to remain at idle if the crew deemed it medically necessary and would ensure the scene was safe to remain hot. I did not designate a tail rotor guide as the crew generally takes the patient assessment and determines which flight crew member will remain with the aircraft and which one will be best suited for the patient. The med crew; with the assistance of approximately 4-6 ground crew; approached the aircraft with the patient and proceeded to the left rear quarter of the aircraft; out of my view. Shortly thereafter the aircraft made three vibrations; as though the skids were settling; and the nurse appeared in the co-pilots windscreen and motioned to shut down the aircraft. The aircraft was shut down and I asked the nurse what had happened to which he replied that the stretcher rolled into the tail rotor. I exited the aircraft and commenced to documenting the incident and requested the Deputy attain sworn statements from any witnesses. I attempted to contact the Operations Center to notify them of the incident via the aircraft radio and cell phone without success; at which time the Deputy offered his radio. I requested Dispatch contact the Operations Center.I suggest installing an attachment from the aircraft to the stretcher to ensure it is secured when unloaded. Limit the number of hot loads to only the most severe patients.
An air ambulance helicopter was parked idling as a patient was transferred from an ambulance on a stretcher. The empty stretcher then rolled into the tail rotor forcing the pilot to promptly shut it down and assess damage.