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Maryland State Police Trooper 2 District Heights, MD

Review of pilot's qualifications, weather conditions, training, approach details, and safety systems in a helicopter crash investigation.

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Maryland State Police Trooper 2 District Heights, MD

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  1. Maryland State Police Trooper 2District Heights, MD Jill Demko Operations Group Chairman Malcolm Brenner, Ph.D. Human Performance Group Chairman

  2. Pre-flight Weather Evaluation • Pilot obtained weather briefing at 1851 • VFR conditions forecast for ADW until 0100 • Weather at time of launch within MSP and FAA weather minimums

  3. IFR 800 broken; 10 mi visibility PGH VFR 1,800 broken; 7 mi visibility 1,400 few; 10 mi visibility VFR

  4. Risk Assessment • Single-pilot operation • Risk assessment matrix existed • Not required to be used

  5. Pilot Experience • Commercial pilot certificate • Instrument rating • Rotorcraft-helicopter rating • Flight instructor certificate • Instrument rating • Rotorcraft-helicopter rating • 27 years, 2,700 hours in accident helicopter • 1.9 hours actual instrument time in previous 2 years

  6. MSP Instrument Training • Instrument training program change 10 months prior to accident • Previously: 6 approaches every 6 months • At time of accident: 2 instrument proficiency checks per year • Training program change • 20 approaches prior for pilot • 4 approaches after for pilot

  7. Instrument Approach • Helicopter aligned with glideslope despite pilot’s report of glideslope failure • No evidence of glideslope malfunction • FAA and MSP guidance dictate ILS becomes LOC approach after loss of glideslope • Minimum descent altitude assures terrain clearance • Many options available to pilot

  8. Terrain Awareness and Warning System • MSP had 3 TAWS equipped helicopters in fleet • Accident helicopter not equipped with TAWS • If equipped, pilot would have received 3 warnings: • 7 seconds: Caution terrain • 4 seconds: Warning terrain • 2 seconds: Pull up

  9. Public vs. Civil Aviation Operations HEMS flights conducted by civil and public operators Civil HEMS flights under Part 135 Public HEMS flights exempt from most FAA regulations and oversight FAA safety oversight discrepancy

  10. Workload Issues Time pressure to deliver patients Actual instrument conditions Air traffic issues Possibility of flying below cloud cover

  11. Performance No gross deficiencies in alertness or responsiveness Performance below his normal standards

  12. Fatigue Evaluation Late hour Awake 16 hours Sleep disorder risk factors Routine sleep history Rest facilities/coffee available Fatigue may have contributed to pilot’s deficient performance

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