Air Methods Protests NTSB Findings

Air Methods Corporation last week petitioned the National Transportation Safety Board to reconsider its probable cause finding in the June 29, 2008, midair collision between an Air Methods Bell 407 helicopter and a Classic Helicopter Services Bell 407.

The helicopters collided at 1547 Mountain Standard Time while approaching the Flagstaff Medical Center in Flagstaff, Ariz. Both helicopters were destroyed, and seven people were killed.

The Air Methods helicopter, N407GA, was arriving from Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, while the Classic helicopter, N407MJ, was arriving from the Grand Canyon National Park Service South Rim helibase in Tusayan, Ariz.

The Air Methods helicopter approached the helipad from the south, but NTSB said helipad arrival and noise abatement guidelines dictate that the helicopter should have approached from a “more easterly direction.” The Classic helicopter approached from the northeast, which is described in noise abatement guidelines. “Thus, if the N407GA [Air Methods] had approached from a more typical direction, the pilot of the N407MJ helicopter may have been more likely to see and avoid it,” NTSB said.

NTSB said at the time of the collision – which occurred about one-quarter mile east of the helipad – both pilots would have been more focused on the helipad rather than scanning the surrounding area for other traffic.