By Sarah Bruyn Jones
The Roanoke Times
ROANOKE, Va. — A medical transport helicopter had a close call with three military jets Thursday night in Rockbridge County, just north of Lexington.
A pilot and three crew members were on board the Carilion Clinic craft. They were returning after dropping off a patient at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, according to Carilion spokesman Eric Earnhart.
The incident happened as the helicopter approached its helipad. An alarm sounded, alerting the pilot that an aircraft was within 1,000 feet.
“The pilot and crew scanned the area and saw three military aircraft in the vicinity,” Earnhart said. “As a precaution, the pilot took evasive action and the helicopter landed safety.”
Carilion reported the incident to the Federal Aviation Administration and the military, Earnhart said.
Medevac helicopters do not typically file flight plans, as they usually fly below radar, said Sherry Wallace, spokeswoman for Roanoke Regional Airport. Still, the helicopter crew routinely calls the Roanoke control tower to make it aware of flights, Wallace said.
It’s unclear at what altitude the incident occurred or how fast the aircraft were traveling. Typically, medevac pilots maintain an altitude between 5,000 and 10,000 feet, Earnhart said.
It was not clear Friday which branch of the military was involved, but military jets are known to make training flights in the region.
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