BLUF: Ensure the lifting hook is connected to BOTH lifting eyes on the rescue basket to avoid serious injury or death.
Photo by Staff Sgt. Harrison Winchell
This article initially appeared in PS 778 (Sep 17), pp. 20-21, as Be Safe with Safety Baskets.
Crews, you need to be aware of a potential safety issue with rescue baskets, PNs 495 and 499-B. The safety issue is not the result of a manufacturer's defect, but potential user error.
A fatality occurred in another country that uses the same rescue basket as MEDEVAC. The issue is the small cable that’s used to connect the two lifting eyes. It’s there to keep both lifting eyes close together so they can be easily joined by the rescue hook.
Small cable is there only to keep lifting eyes together
It’s vital that all MEDEVAC personnel know that the lifting hook must be connected to both lifting eyes on the rescue basket.
In the incident, the operator attached the lifting hook only to the top lifting eye. When the basket was lifted, the small cable which is not rated to hold a load, held just long enough for the basket to get high in the air. The cable snapped and the occupant was dumped out and fell to his death.
To avoid accidents like this, disconnect one end of the small cable and connect both lifting eyes together with a locking carabiner. The carabiner serves the same function as the small cable-keeping the lifting eyes close together, while reminding the hoist operator to connect both lifting eyes on the rescue basket with the lifting hook. But...make sure to remove the carabiner before attaching the hook to both lifting eyes.
Connect both lifting eyes together with a locking carabiner
Connect both lifting eyes on the rescue basket with the lifting hook
Missing one small step can have deadly consequences. If you’re unsure about the procedure, ask you flight instructor for help.
NOTE (not in original article): Refer to air worthiness release (AWR) 980r28 for rescue hoist equipment on UH-60L/M/V and HH-60M helicopters. The NSN for the locking carabiner is NSN: 5340-01-694-4747.