Eurocopter AS 350/355/EC130 - Astar/Twinstar/Ecureuil
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 41; Flight Crew Total 4300; Flight Crew Type 300
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Procedure; Airspace Structure; Human Factors
I am an EMS helicopter pilot. While flying with a patient from a scene call [to the medical center]; I encountered two crop dusting aircraft in close proximity to my aircraft. I was at 500 feet AGL (Med crew requested lowest altitude due to patients severe head injury) a crop duster aircraft flew 200 feet below me perpendicular to my flight path. I do not believe the pilot of the other aircraft saw me at all. After this incident I climbed to 1000 feet AGL and [a few minutes later]; I had a second crop duster aircraft fly under me; again perpendicular to my flight path. As with the previous incident; I do not believe this pilot saw my aircraft either. Because of my increased altitude; there was at least 700 feet of separation between us and much less of a factor. Our current flight path flies right through an area of high crop dusting activity. Because they do not have a common frequency; there is no way to make advisory calls or communicate with the crop dusting aircraft.
AS350B3 helicopter pilot reported two NMACs with crop dusters during flight.