looks like another EMS chopper down in the US...
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
From: Victoria
looks like another EMS chopper down in the US...
http://www.news.com.au/common/story_...5E1702,00.html
Baby dies in mercy flight crash
From Martin Griffith in Reno, Nevada
August 23, 2004
A MEDICAL helicopter airlifting a baby to a US hospital has crashed in a remote area of northern Nevada, killing all five people on board.
The Access Air helicopter crashed into the upper part of the 2932m Mount Tobin, northeast of Reno, Humboldt County Undersheriff Brian Jonas said.
The 11-day-old infant, its mother, the pilot, a nurse and a paramedic were killed. Their names have not been released.
"We're devastated," said Jim Hutchens, president of Access Air, which is based in Boise, Idaho. "These were our friends and colleagues."
Authorities said they lost contact with the helicopter as it was en route to Washoe Medical Centre in Reno after landing at Battle Mountain General Hospital to pick up the baby and its mother.
The cause of the crash was under investigation today and National Transportation Safety Board experts were heading to the area.
It was a little windy, but weather did not appear to be a factor in the crash, said Chuck Young, Access Air's base manager in Elko.
A search for the helicopter began after it was reported missing. The wreckage was spotted by another pilot.
Authorities were unsure of the baby's medical problem. Hospital officials said federal law barred them from discussing it.
"It really is a tragedy for us," Mr Jonas said. "Being in rural areas ... we're so far from trauma centres, and we really rely on this kind of transportation to save lives."
Baby dies in mercy flight crash
From Martin Griffith in Reno, Nevada
August 23, 2004
A MEDICAL helicopter airlifting a baby to a US hospital has crashed in a remote area of northern Nevada, killing all five people on board.
The Access Air helicopter crashed into the upper part of the 2932m Mount Tobin, northeast of Reno, Humboldt County Undersheriff Brian Jonas said.
The 11-day-old infant, its mother, the pilot, a nurse and a paramedic were killed. Their names have not been released.
"We're devastated," said Jim Hutchens, president of Access Air, which is based in Boise, Idaho. "These were our friends and colleagues."
Authorities said they lost contact with the helicopter as it was en route to Washoe Medical Centre in Reno after landing at Battle Mountain General Hospital to pick up the baby and its mother.
The cause of the crash was under investigation today and National Transportation Safety Board experts were heading to the area.
It was a little windy, but weather did not appear to be a factor in the crash, said Chuck Young, Access Air's base manager in Elko.
A search for the helicopter began after it was reported missing. The wreckage was spotted by another pilot.
Authorities were unsure of the baby's medical problem. Hospital officials said federal law barred them from discussing it.
"It really is a tragedy for us," Mr Jonas said. "Being in rural areas ... we're so far from trauma centres, and we really rely on this kind of transportation to save lives."
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver Island
In Canada we feel that Helicopter Air Ambulance Operations are better served using Twin Engine IFR machines with two fully qualified Pilots.
Flogging about, low level on a dark and stormy night is stacking the odds against the poor old pilot.
Been there done that
Flogging about, low level on a dark and stormy night is stacking the odds against the poor old pilot.
Been there done that
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,187
Likes: 16
From: Waltham Abbey, Essex, UK
Much too early to draw conclusions about single engine and IFR of course but in the final conclusion ........
.......is it going to be significant that it was dark [around 2330hrs] and the final resting place of the unfortunate five included an association with high ground?
['crashed into the upper part of the 2932m Mount Tobin']
Very sad for the families of the five.
.......is it going to be significant that it was dark [around 2330hrs] and the final resting place of the unfortunate five included an association with high ground?
['crashed into the upper part of the 2932m Mount Tobin']
Very sad for the families of the five.
