Safety

Chopper crash into hospital roof forces patient evacuations

Hospital Safety Connection, May 30, 2008

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A medical helicopter on a training flight crashed onto the rooftop landing pad of a hospital last week, though luckily the pilot and passenger on board didn’t suffer serious injuries.
 
The incident occurred on May 29 at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI.
 
Patients on the upper levels of the 11-story facility were evacuated to lower floors because of smoke from the wreckage fire and the threat of fuel leaks, the Grand Rapids Press reported. About two dozen pregnant women were temporarily taken to a nearby field house as a precaution, according to a press release from the hospital.
 
The pilot noticed a problem while lifting off and tried to immediately land the helicopter, but the aircraft tipped and crashed, authorities told the Press.
 
Engineers later determined there was no structural damage to the roof, the hospital reported.
 
Subscribers to Briefings on Hospital Safety can read an article in their next issue detailing various safety precautions to take on helipads.
 



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