S92, Plymouth UK, 2022

S92, Plymouth UK, 2022

Summary

On 4 March 2022, a Sikorsky S92A touching down on the designated landing site at a Plymouth hospital to deliver a recovered casualty subjected several people in an adjacent car park to significant downwash. Two were blown over sustaining serious injuries with one dying later the same day. Hospital management was found to have failed to effectively assess the risks of landing site operation and its communications with the operator to ensure safe site use. The landing site was not being operated in accordance with guidance applicable to more recently opened sites nor was it required to be.

Description

On 4 March 2022, a Sikorsky S92A (G-MCGY) being operated by Bristow Helicopters and dedicated to providing airborne SAR capability for the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency had taken off from its base at Newquay to recover a casualty by winch from a river near Tintagel. It had then transported them to the designated helicopter landing site at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth. As it was about to touch down in day VMC after approximately 50 minutes airborne, two people in an adjacent car park not within the landing site were blown over and seriously injured with one subsequently dying as a result of their injuries later the same day. 

Investigation

An Accident Investigation was carried out by the UK Aircraft Accident Investigation Branch. The aircraft was fitted with a solid‑state Multi Purpose Flight Recorder (MFPR) from which all relevant data were successfully downloaded. CCTV recordings were available and a wide range of interviews were conducted and multiple statements obtained.

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