N693AM
Registered owner: AIR METHODS LLC, CO (owner ≠ operator)
Operators of this aircraft
Who operated this tail, and how firmly we know it.
| Operator | Role | Period | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIR METHODS LLC (QMLA) | Certificate holder | — | Matched by certificate designator |
Accident & incident history
No NTSB accidents or incidents on file for this aircraft.
Maintenance disclosures
CRACKED TAIL ROTOR BLADE, REPLACED TR HUB AND BLADE ASSY.
WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT, DEBRIS BLEW INTO MY FACE FROM THE PILOT SIDE, AC VENT. SIMULTANEOUSLY A VIBRATION OR RATTLING EMANATING FROM THE FRONT INSTRUMENT SHROUD STARTED AND BEGAN INCREASING IN INTENSITY, AND I DETECTED THE SMELL OF BURNING RUBBER. I TURNED OFF THE AC AND RETURNED TO BASE. THIS AIRCRAFT HAS BEEN RETURNED TO REVENUE SERVICE, REF # MEC-014713. REPAIRED RH EVAPORATOR BLOWER MOTOR FAN, REPLACED LH FORWARD BLOWER MOTOR.
SMELL OF FUEL IN CP, UNABLE TO DUPLICATE ON THE GROUND.
DURING CRUISE FLIGHT THE MASTER WARNING LIGHT AND AUDIO ALERTED. WHEN SCANNING THE GAUGES, I NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION PRESSURE DROP BELOW LIMITS. BRIEFED THE CREW WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND TOLD THEM WE HAVE TO FIND A PLACE TO LAND NOW. WE AREN'T GOING TO MAKE IT FURTHER. I STARTED A SLIGHT DECENT. SPOTTED A HIGH SCHOOL LESS THAN A MILE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF US. DECIDING TO HEAD TO THE SCHOOL, THE ENGINE PRESSURE ROSE ABOVE LIMITS. STARTED A GRADUAL CIRCLING DECENT TO THE HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT. TOLD THE CREWMEMBERS TO TIGHTEN UP THEIR SEATBELTS JUST IN CASE. LANDED AND IMMEDIATELY SHUT DOWN THE HELICOPTER.
PILOT WAS REPOSITIONING THE AIRCRAFT TO THE HOSPITAL FROM THE AIRPORT AND UPON REACHING APPROXIMATELY 300' AGL AFTER TAKEOFF HE RECEIVED A TAIL ROTOR CHIP WARNING INDICATION ON THE PFD. THE PILOT IMMEDIATELY RETURNED BACK TO THE AIRPORT. TWO MECHANICS INSPECTED THE TAIL ROTOR GEARBOX CHIP DETECTOR PER MM CHAPTER 65 AND DISCOVERED A SINGLE PARTICLE OF HAIR-LIKE FERROUS DEBRIS. NO FURTHER ACTION WAS REQUIRED BY THE MM.