Unwavering Focus

Pilot Keeps Calm During Bird Strike

On Oct. 21, 2019, Enloe FlightCare pilot Joe Ryan was flying his crew back from Sacramento after transferring a patient to a hospital there. It was 2 a.m. and a dead leg (flight home without a patient).

This was like any dead leg at 2 a.m., with the crew and pilot talking amongst each other to pass the time and keep everyone alert. Without warning, traveling 150 mph, the aircraft struck a flock of geese with one of them exploding through the windscreen right into Joe’s face.

The impact shattered Joe’s night vision goggles, leaving them partially dangling from his head, showering him with broken plexiglass and cutting his face. The bird continued back into the aircraft cabin with enough force to strike flight paramedic Troy Keenan in the face and shoulder, breaking his visor.

Another goose impacted the helicopter’s right rear stabilizer. After sustaining a direct hit with such force, Joe battled 150 mph winds unprotected, pain, disorientation and darkness, all while maintaining control of the aircraft. Joe was able to slow the helicopter down and kick it out of trim (basically flying semi-sideways) to prevent any other birds from striking him unprotected.

He did this all in the matter of seconds, despite pure chaos. With the remains of Joe’s night vision goggles dangling from his head impeding his vision, and wind roaring through the cabin, Troy came out of his restraints to remove Joe’s goggles, while Matt Sheller, RN, FlightCare, made emergency radio communication.

Joe immediately selected Oroville Municipal Airport as the closest safe landing zone and piloted the craft without a windscreen for an additional 10 minutes, landing 922RJ and its crew safely at the airport. Pilot Joe Ryan demonstrated tremendous skill, composure and presence of mind in the face of a terrifying event.

Joe’s exemplary performance that night is the definition of what makes a Story of Excellence. Joe is FlightCare’s newest pilot but is by no means a new pilot. He has flown for over 15 years, including search and rescue, tours, and utility. Joe is a tremendous asset to FlightCare, Enloe, our community and has earned my trust forever.