Expert training saves patient, ShandsCair flight crew

Gainesville, Fla. March 6, 2009

The ShandsCair Flight Program team members are used to responding to emergency situations, but last night a helicopter team found themselves in the middle of an emergency when a duck struck the cockpit of their helicopter.

The force of the impact destroyed the front windshield and the momentum carried the bird past the pilot and into the cargo bay of the aircraft. With a trauma patient on board, the team was returning to the Shands at the University of Florida Level I Trauma Center to land on the rooftop helipad.

The helicopter was at an altitude of approximately 700 feet and was traveling at 140 knots (160 miles per hour).

The bird grazed the pilot's head, causing a minor facial and eye injury. However, the pilot remained calm and in control. He was able to perform an emergency landing at the nearby ShandsCair ground helipad.

Due to the pilot's swift action, and the entire team’s calm and controlled response, this incident did not compromise the patient care on board and the helicopter, patient and crew members landed safely. Ground transport was on site to transport the patient to Shands at UF immediately.