20010122038239A

(-23) On 01/22/01, at approximately 0605 UTC, N61AE, a BHT-206-L1, was preparing for a departure from blessing hospital, Quincy, el for the purpose of retrieving an ambulatory patient in canton, MO. The aircraft was pulled from the hangar facility adjacent to the hospital and placed on the helipad. The aircraft was tended by the pilot, a paramedic, a flight nurse, and a security guard that was employed by the hospital. The pilot and flight nurse boarded the aircraft in anticipation of the engine start and subsequent departure. The paramedic positioned himself at the nose of the aircraft to connect the power cart for the start sequence. The security guard accompanied, and was standing next to, the paramedic. The engine start was initiated and rotors were turning when the pilot indicated, through the use of hand signals to the paramedic, to disconnect the power cart from the aircraft. The paramedic disconnected the power cart and draped the plug over the cart situated behind him. He then leaned down to secure the panel at the aircraft connection point. As he stood, he heard a thump and turned to find that the power cart and the security guard were no longer present. Upon noting a figure lying under and near the tail assembly, he motioned for the pilot to "cut" the engine. The paramedic then proceeded to the emergency room to obtain medical personnel. It was determined that the security guard had pulled the power cart toward the hangar after the disconnect from the aircraft, and subsequently came in contact with the tail rotor assembly by which he sustained serious injuries. The security guard expired later on this date.