Preliminary Report: Helicopter Damaged After Autorotation

Bell 407, Decatur, Texas, Dec. 25, 2009–The medevac helicopter was departing on a Part 91 positioning flight to pick up a patient when it lost all engine power at a height of about 100 feet, according to the pilot, who autorotated the helicopter back to the original helipad. The 407 sustained structural damage to its lower fuselage as it landed hard in an upright position. The pilot and flight medic were severely injured, while the flight nurse suffered only minor injuries. The helicopter was owned and operated by Air Evac EMS.