Date: 201909
Local time of day: 1801-2400
Location: ZZZ.ARTCC, US
Flight conditions: Marginal
Weather elements / visibility: Fog; Thunderstorm
Light: Night
Aircraft: EC145
Operator: Air Taxi
Operating under: Part 135
Flight plan: VFR
Mission: Ambulance
Flight phase: Cruise; Initial Approach
Airspace: Class E ZZZ
ATC / advisory: Center ZZZ
Reporter organization: Air Taxi
Reporter function: Medical Crew
Reporter qualification: Other Medical Crew
Human factors: Communication Breakdown; Training / Qualification; Time Pressure
Anomaly: Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter VFR In IMC
Detector: Person Other Person
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Contributing factors: Company Policy; Human Factors; Procedure
Primary problem: Procedure

Narrative: Before our departure at [Hospital 1]; during [Hospital 1] to [Hospital 2] leg of the mission; we had been advised by the pilot in charge (PIC) that there was a storm building to the west. The medical crew agreed in the ambulance at [Hospital 1] that; if needed; the next best place to land outside of ZZZ would be ZZZ1. This plan was communicated to the PIC during transport. The PIC relayed this plan to Dispatch. During this time three other pilots had turned down flight due to building convective activity in the area and along the coast to the north. During transport; the PIC contacted Dispatch regarding the weather as he stated the radar in the aircraft was on a delay. Dispatch's transmission back to the aircraft was difficult to understand and the PIC advised that he was cleared to continue to [Hospital 2]. The med crew advised the PIC that we were okay with landing at ZZZ1 if needed as there was transportation already there. The PIC advised he did not believe this would be necessary. Outside of ZZZ; the med crew could see the storm to the west of the hospital unaided. Prior to short final; the med crew asked if the lightning seen within the storm was far enough away to safely land on the upper pad at [Hospital 2]. Crew called ahead to [ambulance communications] and asked that the on-duty med crew supervisor standby on the lower pad with an ambulance ready to transport the patient to the ED [Emergency Department]. The PIC advised this would not be necessary. While on short final; both crew members witnessed lightning strikes to the west of the airfield. The PIC landed on the upper pad at [Hospital 2] and the med crew members offloaded the patient without further incident and continued into the hospital. [Supervisor] was made aware of the incident once the crew cleared the call. [Supervisor] advised that the lightning strike that the crew members had witnessed he also witnessed. The supervisor advised that according to local weather reports the lightning strike was 4.4 miles away from the hospital. Following the call; the med crew restocked the aircraft with the plan to be available for calls to the northwest as the storm cell had moved over ZZZ2. PIC performed a walk around and got in to start the aircraft to return to base ZZZ3. I then advised the PIC that I did not feel comfortable with the thunderstorm over ZZZ2. I stated I would either wait until the storm dissipated to fly back or would drive back separate. The PIC state that he would wait until the med crew felt comfortable with flying back and got out of the aircraft. About thirty minutes later; the crew returned to the aircraft; all members performed a walk around and set out to depart to ZZZ3. At this time all reporting stations along the route between [Hospital 2] and ZZZ3 were reporting VFR conditions. Just outside of ZZZ; med crew noted that it was foggy; but the ground lights were still visible. The PIC advised that this was okay as he could see under googles. The fog continued to thicken; and I was unable to see stars in the back of the aircraft. I then started to lose ground lights in the back of the aircraft while unaided. Around ZZZ4; I asked if the PIC needed to file for IIMC. The PIC said no. As the aircraft crossed Hwy XX; the fog enveloped the aircraft into a complete white-out. The PIC advised that he would climb and contacted Dispatch. PIC contacted Dispatch; declared an in-flight emergency and asked to continue back to ZZZ3 under IIMC. Dispatch granted IFR clearance. [Ambulance communications] notified by PIC of change. The rest of the flight was completed without an aviation incident. During the descent; PIC advised that he did not want to declare IIMC because he is not allowed to pick up IFR clearances during transport unless he declares an in-flight emergency. PIC advised that only a select few pilots are allowed to pick up clearances while in the air and he is not one of them. Upon arrival at ZZZ3; I called [ambulance communications] and briefly advised the air comm-spec of what happened. The air comm-spec asked during this conversation that it be passed along to the PIC that he needs to call [ambulance communications] at the beginning of shift so that the flight manifest was up to date with current crew members (as this was not the case). After hanging up with [ambulance communications]; this request was relayed to the PIC. Upon reviewing the mission; it was noted that no weather PAIP [Post Accident/Incident Plan] was activated by [ambulance communication]. It should also be noted that other med crew members have had other operational incidents with this same PIC. These med crew members have reported these incidents to [company's] aviation manager; the base aviation supervisor; and [company] medical operations manager; and have received no follow up.




Synopsis: EC145 Medical crew member reported PIC failed to follow company policy; entered known IMC.