Air Ambulance Forced To Make Emergency Landing

The crew of the Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance were forced to make a controlled, emergency landing after the helicopter suffered a bird strike after attending a mission.

The helicopter, an AgustaWestland109, was returning from a mission to its airbase at East Midlands Airport when it was forced to make the controlled landing in the Peak District close to Carsington Water at around 1.30pm on Thursday 22 April.

One of the Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulances (G-MEDX) pictured in Thorpe End Melton. Photo: NEMM File Image.

A spokesman for the charity said: “One of our helicopters, registration G-TAAS, suffered a bird strike on Thursday forcing our crew to carry out an emergency landing following extensive damage to the cockpit window.

“All crew have emergency operating procedures for incidents, and these were followed methodically. The crew of the helicopter are very experienced and ensured the safe landing of the damaged aircraft.”

The crew are safe and well and the helicopter will now be assessed by engineers to determine its airworthiness before it returns to operational duties.

Bird strikes on helicopters are a very rare occurrence, and the charity would like to thank the landowner for their support during this time.