Helicopter Down In Arkansas Early Tuesday Morning

A medical helicopter belonging to Air Evac Lifeteam went down at about 0430 Tuesday morning in central Arkansas, fatally injuring all three members of the aircrew. The accident occurred near the town of Scotland, AR in Van Buren County, which is about 80 miles north of Little Rock.

Air Evac Lifeteam Bell 206 File Photo

FAA spokeswoman Lynn Lunsford told the Associated Press that the Bell 206 helicopter was flying under VFR conditions. It was registered to the EMS company based in West Plains, MO. There were no patients on board

Lunsford said the helicopter was not in contact with ATC at the time of the accident, and there was no distress call from the aircraft. The air crew was responding to a traffic accident when the helicopter went down. The names of those on board have not been released to the media. In a news release, Air Evac Lifeteam President and CEO Seth Myers said that the aircraft was equipped with NVG technology. According to its website, the company operates medical helicopter services in 14 states in the South and Midwest.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov