An investigation to the death of a gran who was blown over by a search and rescue helicopter landing at a hospital found serious failings exposed members of the public to risks.
Jean Langan, 87, was killed when she was "blown off her feet" in a hospital car park. She suffered a serious head injury, while a second woman in her 80s was treated for a broken pelvis suffered in the horror.
The downdraft from the Sikorsky helicopter, flying in with a casualty, caused gran-of-four Ms Langan to fall in a car park near the helipad at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, where she was heading for an appointment in March 2022.
The helipad at Derriford Hospital is in a secure area within one of the public car parks (PlymouthLive/BPM MEDIA)An investigation by Air Accidents Investigation Branch found the accident was caused because members of the public were not prevented from being close to the hospital’s helipad when helicopters were landing. Several members of the public were subjected to high levels of downwash when the Sikorsky landed.
It also discovered the hazard posed by helicopter downwash in the car parks adjacent to the helipad had not been identified, and the risk of possible injury to members of the public was not properly assessed. Several previous incidents and complaints were recorded and investigated at the hospital but the need to manage the downwash hazard in the car park was not identified.
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The report also found there was confusion between the operators of the helicopter and hospital staff who managed the helipad about their respective roles and responsibilities. The helicopter commander believed the car park surrounding the helipad would be secured by the hospital’s staff but the staff only considered the risk of downdraft within the boundary of the helipad.
Crispin Orr, chief inspector of air accidents, said: “This was an unusual and distressing accident in which an aircraft undertaking a mission to save life sadly also resulted in the death of an uninvolved person and serious injury to another, who were blown over by high levels of downwash from a landing helicopter.
“Our in-depth investigation revealed systemic safety issues around the design and operation of hospital helicopter landing sites which need to be addressed at a national level. Helicopters used for search, rescue and emergency medical services play a vital role, but it is essential that the risks associated with helicopter downwash are understood and well-managed.
“The investigation has raised awareness of this issue and been a catalyst for important safety action, which has been taken to mitigate the immediate risk. In addition, nine recommendations have been made in this report to help improve co-ordination between the aviation and NHS stakeholders, to ensure the protection of uninvolved persons from helicopter operations at hospital helicopter landing sites across the UK.”
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