Board Releases New Information On Nine Accidents

As part of the National Transportation Safety Board's ongoing review of the safety of medical helicopter operations, on Thursday the Board released updated information on nine medevac accidents in 2007 and 2008, including the Probable Cause assessments in four of those mishaps.

The NTSB ruled poor weather, combined with low-light conditions, contributed to the February 2008 loss of a Eurocopter AS350B2 near South Padre Island, TX; the June 2008 downing of a Bell 407 near Huntsville, TX; and the crash of a Eurocopter BK-117 near Whittier, AK in December 2007. Combined, 11 people were killed in those accidents.

The NTSB also ruled the December 2007 loss of a Bell 206-L3 near Cherokee, AL was likely due to a collision with trees as the helicopter flew low over a wooded area, searching for a missing hunter. The pilot, a paramedic and a flight nurse were lost in that accident.

The Board also updated factual information on five other ongoing investigations, including the September loss of a Maryland State Patrol AS365. Robert Sumwalt, who chairs the investigation's board of inquiry, said the NTSB will also hold four days of hearings concerning medevac safety.

"We have seen an alarming rise in the numbers of EMS accidents," Sumwalt said in a written statement. "This hearing will be extremely important because it can provide an opportunity to learn more about the industry so that possibly we can make further recommendations that can prevent these accidents and save lives."

FMI: www.ntsb.gov