Helo Made Two Approaches To Land, Went Down During Third

The National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday its investigative team looking into the May 30 downing of an EMS helicopter in Washington DC has arrived at the scene, and has begun its investigation into the accident on the grounds of the US Armed Forces Retirement Home.

As Aero-News reported Wednesday, the MedStar helicopter -- a Eurocopter EC-135P1, registry N601FH and operated by C.J. Systems Aviation Group of West Mifflin PA -- was transporting a patient from Greater Southeast Community Hospital to the Washington Hospital Center at about 4:50 PM EDT, when the accident occurred. The pilot, a paramedic and a flight nurse were injured -- but the hospital reported later that evening that the patient being transported, Steven Gaston, had died.

The helicopter wreckage has been moved to a facility at Tipton Airfield at Fort Meade MD, where a detailed examination of the airframe and components will be conducted over the next few days.

The NTSB Investigator-in-Charge (IIC) has already interviewed the paramedic and the flight nurse, and intends to interview the pilot when the latter's medical condition permits. The paramedic reported that the pilot made two approaches to the upper landing pad at the Washington Hospital Center, and then was maneuvering for an approach to the lower landing pad when the accident occurred.

The IIC also plans to interview a number of people who were in the area at the time of the accident. In addition, as is typical of Safety Board investigations, there will be a review of the pilot's training and experience, the maintenance and service records of the accident aircraft, and air traffic and other communications -- including a reported "mayday" call from the helicopter (file photo of type, below).

The NTSB states Eurocopter, Pratt & Whitney of Canada, C.J. Systems Aviation Group, and the FAA are parties to its investigation.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov