Crew Returning Back To Base After Fundraiser Appearance

A medevac helicopter crew returning home from a community fundraiser was killed Sunday, when their Bell 206 impacted a field near Burney, IN, about 40 miles southwest of Indianapolis.

WISH-8 in Indianapolis reports the helicopter (type shown above) had just taken off shortly after 1 pm, following an appearance at the Burney Volunteer Fire Department's annual Antique Tractor Pull and Hog Roast. Witnesses say the helicopter plunged into the field almost immediately after takeoff.

"The helicopter exploded on impact and instantly burst into flames," Decatur County Sheriff Daryl Templeton told the Indianapolis Star.

The crew was returning to their base at Rush Memorial Hospital in Rushville, IN. The Decatur County coroner's office said it appears the crew died instantly.

"This is a tragic day for us here at Air Evac Lifeteam," said Air Evac Lifeteam president Seth Myers. "These were our family members and we are devastated at this loss. Our focus at this time is on providing support for the family and friends of these crew members."

Air Evac Lifeteam is operated by Air Evac EMS, which has bases across 12 states and flies over 100 Bell 206s. In December 2007, an Air Evac B206 crashed during a search for a missing hunter near Tuscumbia, AL, killing the three people onboard.

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the cause of Sunday's crash.

FMI: www.faa.gov, www.ntsb.gov, www.lifeteam.net/