Bell Helicopter Textron Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 22; Flight Crew Total 3300; Flight Crew Type 30
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence; Inflight Event / Encounter VFR In IMC
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Weather
I preflighted and checked the weather then briefed the med crew. Initially the TAF was showing BKN015 at XA00 local time. We discussed the weather in our briefing and planned on the weather being below minimums later in the shift. An updated TAF showed SCT025; where the ceiling was forecast to be OVC015. We received a flight request...the flight went as planned; and the patient was [transported] with no problems. We lifted off to return to [Base]. Upon departing from the hospital there was some haze and scattered low clouds.... We were above the scattered layer and could see...ahead with clear skies. As we continued the flight; clouds formed below us. I attempted to descend below the clouds; but was unable to maintain cloud clearance. At this point we discussed going back; however the ATIS was now showing BKN013. I made the decision to continue the flight and look for an opportunity to descend below the cloud layer. The weather ahead was showing higher ceilings. The remainder of the flight...was spent VFR on top of the cloud layer. I had been monitoring Center and [destination] Tower frequency from 50 miles out.... When we approached [destination] I made multiple radio calls and tuned in the ILS. I began a descent from around 6;500 FT MSL. We descended through the broken cloud layer at around 4;900 FT MSL and broke out at around 4;600 FT MSL. At that point we had 10 SM visibility and had the airport in sight; where we landed on the GA ramp. The continued flight above a cloud layer caused the problem of having to descend through a layer; however I am not sure turning back would have given us a chance to descend VFR either. I also should have made Center aware of my problem right away.
Bell 230 pilot on a VFR flight; descended through a 300 foot broken cloud layer at the destination airport after surmising that a return to the departure airport would likely not allow a VFR descent either.