AS350B2 Accident Kills Three In South Carolina

A Friday evening medical helicopter crash has claimed the lives of three people, all crew persons associated with Omniflight Helicopters, operating locally as Carolina Lifecare. Omniflight has released the names of the crew members on board the American Eurocopter AS350B2 helicopter, which took off from the Charleston, SC, airport at approximately 2308 PM, ET on Friday, September 25, 2009, and crashed shortly after takeoff 63 miles southwest of Conway, SC.

IFR conditions were reported at a near by airport when the aircraft diverted just prior to the crash. A patient had been onboard the aircraft earlier and dropped off prior to the accident.

All three people on board were fatally injured in the tragic accident including Patrick Walters, 45, pilot; Diana Conner, 42, flight nurse; and Randolph Claxton Dove, 39, flight paramedic.

The aircraft was headed to Conway, S.C. (where the aircraft is based) and was reported missing shortly after take-off from the Charleston, S.C. airport. A search was initiated shortly after the aircraft failed to report in to Omniflight’s communications center.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) representatives are at the scene where company officials are also present. The company is working closely with the NTSB as they conduct a full investigation.

Omniflight has issued a statement in which it reports that it, "is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of its crew members and wishes to express its deepest regrets and sincerest condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives."

Omniflight File Photo

NTSB Statement

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash of a medical emergency services helicopter near Georgetown, South Carolina.

The Eurocopter AS-350 B2 (N417AE) helicopter crashed at about 11:30 p.m. ET on Friday during a positioning flight after dropping off a patient in Charleston about two hours earlier.  All three people on board were fatally injured.

NTSB Air Safety Investigator Todd Gunther has been designated as Investigator-in-Charge and is traveling to the scene. NTSB Board Member Robert Sumwalt will serve as principal spokesman during the on-scene investigation.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov, www.omniflight.com