More Deadly EMS and TV Chopper Crashes

Air Safety Week, Oct 20, 2008

An emergency medical services (EMS) helicopter carrying a patient crashed and burned in a suburban Chicago forest preserve Oct. 15, killing all four aboard. The latest fatal EMS chopper crash followed by only two days the loss of a news gathering helicopter in Houston.

NTSB investigators will determine whether the Bell 222 EMS chopper clipped a radio tower.

The crash was one of nine fatal EMS helicopter crashes in the U.S. in the past 12 months, resulting in 35 fatalities. So far in calendar year 2008, 28 people have died on medical chopper flights, the most deaths recorded in a year previously was 18 in 2004. The seven fatal crashes in 2008 to date equal the highest recorded in any previous calendar year.

In 2006, the NTSB issued a special report on air ambulance crashes that included recommendations, many of which the FAA has yet to implement.

The EMS helicopter was headed for Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago when it went down minutes before midnight.

John Brannen with the NTSB has reportedly said the helicopter apparently clipped a radio tower support wire before the crash. A snapped wire could be seen hanging from the 734-foot tower that stands across a busy road from the crash site.

Brannen said the helicopter was flying about 50 feet below the top of the tower when the wire was clipped. He said NTSB was investigating whether lights on the tower were on at the time or could have been knocked out during the incident. There had been no distress call.

The helicopter belonged to Air Angels, an emergency medical transport service based in suburban Bolingbrook.

Air Angels CEO Jim Adams told reporters the helicopter's crew consisted of the pilot, a nurse and a paramedic. He said the pilot did not report mechanical problems, and weather was not an issue.

"We extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the patient and our crew. Air Angels is working with the National Transportation Safety Board and FAA to investigate the cause of the accident and we will provide more information as it becomes available," Adams added.

Air Angels, founded in 1998, was involved in one other crash in the last five years, which was a January 2003 accident that killed the pilot. The NTSB blamed pilot error, saying weather was a factor. A third incident, a forced landing in August 2007, was blamed on mechanical problems.

In light of recent accidents, the Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) is working with the FAA and members of Congress to actively promote safety enhancements in the air medical community through FAA rulemaking and federal legislation.

AAMS and the FAA, along with representatives of the aviation community, have planned closed-door meetings to discuss short and long term rulemaking changes to address possible deficiencies in the current rules that apply to Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS).

The purpose of these discussions, and the subsequent actions, is to increase the current regulatory standards based on recommendations made by the NTSB.

"AAMS continues to support Congressional legislation that promotes changes similar to those under consideration in the regulatory arena. These changes include higher weather minima on all legs of an air medical flight, and the mandatory use of risk assessments before take-off.

"Furthermore, AAMS supports the continued study and future implementation of recording devices in helicopters, both in an effort to ensure flight quality and to provide additional information in the event of an incident or accident. AAMS also continues to advocate for low-altitude weather reporting and aviation infrastructure improvements desperately needed to enhance pilots' decision-making.

"AAMS and its members recognize the urgent need to address the current safety issues; we also must continue to provide this lifesaving service at the highest level of safety possible,' the trade association said in a statement.

Meanwhile, a Bell 206L4 news gathering helicopter crashed in a Texas state forest Oct. 13, killing the pilot and reporter/television photographer.

The two were covering a shooting north of Houston for KTRK-TV, the ABC affiliate in Houston, when their SkyEye 13 helicopter went down in the W.G. Jones State Forest.

Authorities from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB are investigating the fatal accident.

The chopper, powered by a Rolls Royce 250-C30P 650hp engine, was owned by Helicopters Inc., which leases helicopters to about 70 newsgathering organizations. The station aired the final seconds of video it received from the helicopter. The video showed the helicopter banking to the right before the screen went to black.

As the wreckage was removed from the scene for detailed inspection, NTSB Senior Air Safety Investigator Arnold Scott reportedly told the TV station, "We've examined the helicopter, and we're satisfied that the helicopter was intact at impact when it started hitting the trees."