King Air 200 Replaces Aircraft Lost In February CFIT Accident

In a move to restore Benedis Healthcare's full ability to transport ill and injured patients to area hospitals -- and, to aid in the healing process after a February plane crash claimed three Mercy Flight workers -- on Thursday the Great Falls, MT health care provider received its new Beechcraft King Air 200.

"We were anxiously awaiting our new (plane) to go through all the checks and arrive," said Mercy Flight pilot Mike Milburn to the Great Falls Tribune. "It's just going to be an ideal airplane for the mission."

The aircraft lost in February was also a King Air 200 (type shown above.) Pilot Vince Kirol, Paramedic Paul Erickson, and nurse Darcy Dengel were killed when the aircraft impacted mountainous terrain while on approach to Gallatin Field Airport (BZN) in Belgrade to pick up a patient.

Crewmembers wanted another King Air, said chief flight nurse Scott Schandelson. The crew used a loaned King Air 100 in the interim.

The new plane is slightly different than the one that was lost. Its paint scheme is subtlely different, and the interior has some minor changes -- which Schandelson hopes will ease the psychological impact for the crew.

As with the accident aircraft, the new King Air will be owned and operated by Metro Aviation, contracted to Benefis.

Mercy Flight hoped to have the plane operational this weekend, after familiarization runs and stocking it with equipment. Benefis plans to host an open house in the future, to display the new plane.

FMI: www.benefis.org/pages/default.asp?NavID=102