Agusta Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 40; Flight Crew Total 2580; Flight Crew Type 165
Confusion; Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Procedure
After completing a hoist rescue mission; three aircraft from a local city fire department were returning to base. One aircraft was cancelled and made a 180 degree turn prior to leaving the area. This aircraft was approximately one mile south and not involved. The other two aircraft involved in the rescue were returning from the incident via the same standard helicopter arrival route for the home base airport. Both aircraft were in contact with each other; however each pilot believed the other aircraft was in a different location than they actually were. The larger faster aircraft overflew the other by approximately 200 vertical feet causing that pilot to initiate a rapid descent. The overflying aircraft crew was unaware of the incident until notified by the other pilot. Both aircraft returned safely to base and a thorough debrief with all members involved was conducted.
Helicopter pilot reported an NMAC with another helicopter as both aircraft returned from a rescue mission via the same standard arrival route to their home base. Both aircraft believed the other was in a different location.