WSMV Channel 4 LifeFlight chopper grounded after mid-air collision with duck

A Vanderbilt LifeFlight helicopter is grounded following a mid-air collision with a duck in Henry County on Friday.

The helicopter was en route to Henry County Medical Center. 

It was roughly 2,000 feet in the air when it collided with a mallard duck, shattering the windshield.

Vanderbilt officials said it's the worst damage from a bird collision they've seen in about eight years.

The chopper was fairly new, according to Vanderbilt, and had only been in service two weeks. It cost about $3 million.

The craft is being repaired in Clarksville. A back-up helicopter is being used in its place during the repair phase.

The pilot was forced to make a precautionary landing in a field near Paris. 

Two other crew members were also on board.  No one was injured.

LifeFlight still has five other helicopters currently in service.

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