Carilion helicopter has a "close call" with three military jets - FOX 21/27 WFXR Roanoke/WWCW Lynchburg News, Weather

A Rockbridge County based Carilion helicopter had a "close call" with three military jets Thursday night.

Carilion spokesman Eric Earnhart says around 8 p.m. Thursday, Lifeguard 12 was returning to Rockbridge County after dropping a patient off at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

While the helicopter was making its final approach, the collision avoidance system sounded and the helicopter's crew spotted three military jets close by. The collision avoidance system is programmed to sound if any aircraft are within 1,000 feet and Earnhart said it worked just like it was supposed to.

The pilot performed what Earnhart said was "evasive action" to miss the jets.

"We had a bit of a close call. Probably the first time we've had to take evasive action in a situation like this. This is the closest we've ever come" says Earnhart.

No one was injured and the helicopter landed safely. But the hospital has reported the incident to FAA and military.

The FAA released the following statement Friday night:

"The FAA is investigating a report that several military jets flew too close to a helicopter in uncontrolled airspace over Lexington, VA on Thursday night, May 17. The aircraft were operating under Visual Flight Rules and were not in communication with air traffic controllers."

After numerous calls, it's still not clear what branch of the military the jets were from.