Medical Helicopter Crashes - Killing Pilot, Flight Paramedic, & Flight Nurse (52)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 ม.ค. 2024
- In this video I will give an early update to the Oklahoma Air Evac Lifeteam Medical Helicopter Crash that took place on January 20, 2024 with tail number N295AE.
This video is for educational purposes and is in no way intended to provoke, incite, or shock the viewer.
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I will first state that I am very sad for the loss of the crew. Rest in Peace. That said, I was paramedic for 18 years and flew on a number of helicopters when requested. It is my firm opinion that a minimum of 80% of air-ambulance flights are medically unnecessary. Safer ground transport, although time-delayed, would result in the same outcome. The hospital-based ambulances that I worked for often called the med-flights, "dash-for-cash." It has become a status symbol to have helicopter EMS, but at what cost to the crews and, sometimes, the patients. I don't expect those in the business to listen to a word I say, but I hope that someday there will be a reckoning. "Life flights" can certainly be life savers, but it's time to reevaluate the criteria for these high-risk medical flights. I bless them all. Wayne out West
" It is my firm opinion that a minimum of 80% of air-ambulance flights are medically unnecessary" Ain't that the truth. I get so frustrated with most of the calls I get. I never complain about real Medevacs but it's really hard for me to hold my tongue when a paper cut, heartburn, or headache Medevac comes up.
It has been almost 30 years since I was a flight medic, but it was the same then. We had some interfacility flights where the patient was waiting with a suitcase. 😡 😢
I worked for air evac in the 90s it wasn't the safest place to work then... I went back to ground EMS
I wish I could argue with you on this point but I just can't. Way too many times we are flying people for interfacility transfers that are totally stable and could absolutely go by ground. I know in my area and I believe in many others across the country, the simple cause for this is lack of available ground ambulances. EMS across the country is in a bad place and there doesn't appear to be a fix in sight anytime soon. But repeatedly utilizing air medical for transport of non-critical patients is not the answer. Risk vs reward....the reward just isn't there for anyone.
I live in Oklahoma and I agree. I have had a couple of friends that were flown out and then released to come home the next day. Then they have to figure out how to pay for it.
I'm so sorry for your loss. This is heartbreaking. I was a flight paramedic in NY and PA in the early and mid nineties. I have experience in the Bell 407 and the EC 130 aircrafts. I absolutely loved flight medicine and the pilots and nurses I worked with were top notch. My prayers are with you and those involved.
Sorry for your loss Justin. My heart goes out to you and their families and friends. Like you, I flew Air Ambulance for several years as a Flight Medic and lost a close personal friend in a accident. Let's hope the NTSB finds the probable cause and we can all learn from this. In the meantime we need to remember that while the Air EMS services in Oklahoma are mourning this loss, they will put on their flight gear and answer the call when another life is on the line. True heros in my book.
Keep us posted on this accident. 🙏
Uh. OK. I'm pretty sure Flight Medics don't actually FLY Air Ambulance. You were a Medical Crewmember.... That being said, I hate hearing about these accidents. Surely a tragic loss!
@@heartlandhawk4513 My apologies, I should have been more precise with my words. Yes, I didnt actually fly the helicopter.
As a helo pilot myself, flying at night ANYWHERE is extremely dangerous! I had a severe bird strike, im lucky to be alive along with my crew! Birds flying at night, weather, so much stacked against us. God Bless these crew members and familys. Most flights are unnecessary , and nobody cares until its to late.
Is it customary to be 175 ft AGL at night?
@@alexc5449 only to take off and land, otherwise hell no!
@@alexc5449 they were at 500-600 feet at110kts the whole flight. There last ADS-B ping was at 2323:39 210 ft east of the wreckage. They hit geese. The carcasses of several geese were located in the debris field as well as one embedded in a flight control servo.
Adam was a good buddy of mine. He started back at the end of May last year. He was a good dude. My heart goes out to all of those on board that night.. it’s so terribly sad.
Im so sorry for your loss! I respect ur work and what u put into ur channel. Man just so sorry
Prayers for all lost.🙏. Thank you for your channel!🇺🇸
Sorry Justin. I used to fly for AEL in the 206 and 407 and they were a great company to work for. I was there 2013-2018 and got to see the fleet upgrade to the L4 standard and Garmin 500/650 and Helisas autopilot for every airframe. I had great respect for AEL to spend the money on upgrading every airframe and make it standard across the fleet. Bird strikes are a huge threat this time if year and the paper thin windshield is worthess in protecting occupants from strikes. I now work for AMC (now technically AMLLC) and they are slowly adding bird resistant windshields to the 407 fleet in high risk areas because of their Pine Bluff, AR base crash. Maybe I'll see you in a couple of weeks in OKC since I'll be flying an EC145 into some of your local hospitals.
You are full of heart. I'm hoping for a couple of weeks to let the facts shake out. Then, perhaps you can provide an update along with a tribute to this hard working team.
I've been evacuated by a team like this and am grateful for their dedication and professionalism, adding them to my Rosary RIP.
Absolutely heartbreaking! No words can comfort after such a loss! God Speed to the crew, and our eternal gratitude for your service.
Man Justin, I’m so sorry. Sending love from Toledo. ❤
Tragic AF. Losing good people is bad enough. Losing professionals and Angels (nurses, medics and docs) who save lives every day is just. Heartbreaking. Thanks for the report. This one was very close to home. I respect you sharing the info despite the closeness. Than you.
My heart goes out to you brother. Thoughts and prayers to you and the families.
Firstly, thank you for paying respect to the crew in this accident, it truly is a tragic scenario. All of your accident videos have been well done from an aircraft accident investigation perspective. Without going into much detail, I was working OCC when this happened and unfortunately you know about as much as we do in regards to what happened. I trust the NTSB will find an answer and I just hope it was nothing that could've been prevented.
Love your channel. Keep it up
Solid work Justin. My deepest condolences brother 🥲
I lost two friends in a rotary wing ambulance crash 23 years ago. These incidents keep occurring while this method of transport becomes more and more routine. Saddening. My sympathies to the bereaved.
First, my heart hurts for the loss of the crew and their families. No matter who you fly for, it hurts.
Second: I flew at AEL for seven years and loved every minute. I’m forever grateful for AEL and those who take the risk to care for others. May God be with those who grieve and I pray and extra measure of calm and peace.
Prayers for you and the families brother!
This is so tragic. I flew HEMS for 15 years and it tears away a piece of us every time we lose one. That last one AirEvac lost was due to main rotor separation. The fact that the main rotor blades were so far from the crash brings back terrible memories.
Actually the main rotor separation preceded a couple of other fatals that occurred between 2012 and 2015. They did really well for almost a decade.
Always my biggest fear when flying…
So sorry for your loss Justin.
Prayers lifted. 🙏🏾❤️
Solid reporting for a tragic story. So sorry to hear this.
I'm so sorry My friend 😢 I could see you trying to keep it together and I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend and the other two on board! I'm a retired police officer from LAPD Los Angeles Police Department and I spent many hours riding along with Air Support over the Los Angeles area and I know it's a dangerous but much needed service especially EMS helicopter services! My heart goes out to you and to all the family and friends of the crew that was tragically lost last night! Let's hope and pray we get to the bottom of what happened so we can learn and make any necessary improvements? God speed to the 3! Stay safe Stay strong my friend ❤️
phucc you and lapd. chris dorner knew what to to with cops.
I’m so sorry bro. I’ve been through this before too. My heart goes out to you and to everyone involved.
Really sad. My condolences to the families and co-workers of this crew.
I live in small town and this town is so thankful for our airevac people,sorry for the loss
The Allison 250 C30 typically installed in this aircraft would have an N1 Fuel Control Heater that would need to be manually turned on prior to takeoff. I cannot remember what the temperature range was for its usage, but I believe it would have been required this night.
Prayers for the family’s and personnel involved.
I flew 206s for 14 years. They are a fine aircraft.
Heart breaking.
As a licensed Longranger and 407 engineer, I agree, I think the L3 makes a excellent and safe air ambulance. yes rear loading ECs are much better but as an engineer the L3 is more economical and safe if maintained and operated properly.
Condolences to the crew and their family.
Lost a great crew last night. Will have my friend in mind every time I zip up my flight suit for a long time. A post I saw on FB said that geese were involved…it is that time of year…everyone hug your loved ones a little tighter tonight.
God bless loss of fellow medical staff. 🙏🏼👨🏻🚒 ret ff medic 3. + decades
I have been EMS for 35 years, mainly ground paramedic, with CCT, IFT, started in 1978 as 15 y/o EMT, to ALS 17, to NR-EMT- P, instructor, and some flight time. I also worked a medical helicopter crash in 1994, all crew died, my thoughts and prayers go out for their families and friends.
So sorry Justin, I am a retired medic, this hurts. I also used to dispatch EMS helicopters for another company, and quit often worked with AEL crews as well in dispatching and flight following. This is never a good day when this happens. A nurse friend of mine who still works for them posted she may have known the crew as she was in MO when several of this crew were doing orientation with AEL. She is with AEL 121. This is a terrible situation, and my heart goes out to the AEL Co as they work through this tragedy. I know several AEL members as I worked closely with 3 bases in my immediate area, along with others in the state. It's never easy when this happens. Condolences to you and prayers for the families involved in this.
Damn!! This sucks!! We have a local base of theirs just down the road from the house. I can always tell when they are on a call by how they fly over the house. Just an amazing group of people for sure!!
I have been so busy that I hadn’t even heard this crash happened, and I’ve been flying pipeline patrol in Oklahoma quite a bit. In fact I just flew in to Wiley Post yesterday. This crash is bizarre to say the least, and absolutely awful that we lost everyone. The only positive outcome is that the patient was not on board. I’ll bet the patient will feel guilt with this incident unfortunately.
I'm so sorry to hear of this tragedy.
I watch your video and very much enjoy your presentation. I am very sorry for your loss. Loss of life is always devastating.
Sorry for your loss, terrible tragedy.
Heart breaks for the families
I hope that you'll do a follow up if/when more information becomes available
I'm terribly sorry for the loss of a friend and for the loss of some great people who were serving their community. I look forward to hearing how and why this happened.
X-Military Helo pilot here. Flew 206 (OH58). This looks like main rotar separation. Too sudden for engine failure. That or pilot incapacitated. Hard way to go. So sorry.
Praying for them all and their families.🙏🙏
This is so awful. It seems to happen more frequently now. Praying for families that lost their loved ones 😢
Absolutely tragic. My prayers are with the families, the friends, and the entire HAA community.
I have thousands of hours in various models of the 206, including the -L3 in an HEMS role.
It is a safe aircraft overall, but, like most helicopters, it demands that you respect its capabilities and limitations.
As you noted, the debris field is very tightly contained. That, and the separation of the rotor head, suggest a catastrophic drive-train failure that resulted in a steep plummet. I will be eagerly waiting for the NTSB to sort this out.
My heart goes out to you and all the loved ones of those who died so tragically. I hope NTSB can find the cause so this can be learned from. Thank you for all your videos and heartfelt work. My niece is a CFRN. ❤🚁
The main rotor a distance from impact may be a huge clue. Possibly separating in flight. I flew 40 years, both Army and Civilian EMS, and these clues don’t always make it certain
We know what happened- and it was nothing with the aircraft or the crew.
@@johannaco.5331so what happened then?
@eduardodiaz9354 apparently he DON'T know.
@@haroldhicks571 I’m a she and yes, I do know. However, it is internal only at this time and when the FAA clears us to say, we will. Correct grammar would be “she doesn’t know”. Doesn’t = do not and is a contraction. Don’t is also a contraction and is “Do not”.
@@eduardodiaz9354 we aren’t allowed to say yet - probably another two weeks before the FAA releases it.
I'm so, so sorry for your loss.
Rus was a former pilot for the Night Stalkers who flew special operations teams . Rus was a highly skilled and experienced pilot. His wife is a friend.
As someone that flew with Rus in the Army, thank you for saying this. It's sad to lose a colleague and even worse to lose a friend.
Not saying that it happened but nobody is safe from having a fatal heart attack or a stroke syncope to name a few I’m thinking the pilot got incapacitated due to a medical emergency
Prayers to their families!!!
Justin I am so truly sorry for your loss of your friends. This is absolutely heartbreaking to lose three amazing people doing what they loved what absolute true heroes without a second thought rushing to help people in their hour of need Thank you from bottom of my heart for what you did.May you all please RIP may the Angels be with their poor families in this very difficult and awful time. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all their friends and families.
Looks to me like one blade came off which caused the rest of the main mast to eject itself from the craft and the craft (minus the blades) simply dropped out of the sky. This could be why there are no "skid" marks, and the main blades are not with the crash site. I used to balance UH-1 and OH-6 main and tail rotor blades in the Army. I can't imagine one blade suddenly flying off, but thats what it looks like to me. Plus the massive shaking for the few seconds one main blade was missing would have likely been more than enough to cause sudden damage to the radio and other instruments.
BUT, this is my own speculation from the photos shown.
Extremely heart broken due to loss of ems family.Rest in peace . My prayers are with the families.
I fly for AE and this has completely affected all of us
So very sorry.
since the "the airplane was fine, the weather was good" statement kind of implicates the Pilot (which is not something any of us mean to do at this stage), I want to balance that by pointing out that batteries work exponentially worse in extreme cold, and if they were not getting enough amp/voltage for whatever reason (do those aircraft use an alternator?), it is well possible the system was slowly but steadily running out of electric power.
I flew in that area as a Strike Team Pilot for AE and certainly knew the crew. It is a dangerous yet very important job/mission. Prayers to the families. I would hate to speculate but the rotor being so far away from crash makes me think "mast bumping." I'm thinking Mercy Hospital as the other (if memory serves) the other one has it's own roof top pad. Wind there is always pretty high. Can't remember the one next to the interstate with 3 pads but that was challenging.
So sorry to hear this. Such a waste of true heros.
This breaks my heart I have in the past Security at Saint Francis in Tulsa and I have escorted these guys in and out of the hospital. They are heroes in my eyes, prayers for everyone who were apart of their lives. May God’s grace, mercy and peace be with all of those who knew this flight.
Very informative , we have subscribed
Thanks and welcome
So sorry for the loss! Air Evac saved my life in 2003 when I had a motorcycle wreck in Somerset Ky! They transported me to UK Hospital!!! So grateful for Air Evac!!!
Respect to all victims 🙏
Prayers for the family especially their children, tragic. Hardest thing to hear is that your mom or dad will never come home.
My heart breaks for yet another Oklahoma HEMS fatality. Prayers to the familys and crew .
A crucial bit of information not disclosed here: The distance between the rotor hub and the main wreckage.
The rotor obviously separated from the aircraft, but was it pre-impact or caused by the impact? If the impact caused the rotor separation, it would have ended up within tens of feet from the main wreckage, if the distance was greater (hundreds of feet or more) the rotor probably separated in mid-flight, the dreaded "Jesus nut" failure.
Sorry to hear. Rip. Brothers👨🏻🚒 some of the best paramedic care you’ll get b4 a trauma center ! Have a few friends who fly here in Worcester /Boston 🇺🇸🙏🏼
METAR for those wondering about weather conditions:
KOJA 210535Z AUTO 16007KT 10SM CLR M07/M14 A3039 RMK AO2 T10701136
KOJA 210515Z AUTO 17006KT 10SM CLR M06/M14 A3040 RMK AO2 T10611137
It doesn’t look like weather would have been a factor. They were 175 ft AGL which is dangerously close to the ground. Doesn’t look like there are any obstructions near the vicinity of last ADS-B point.
Such a tragedy to have an🇨🇦🇨🇦 Emergency Response Services team go down like this, they are heroes and give so much to humanity, it is heartbreaking! My condolences to all who mourn their loss, may they rest in peace!💕🙏🏼🇨🇦
Dammit I had hoped you’d run out of material tbh. As much as love this channel I was happy that you had no crashes to report on 😢😢 Your personal feelings on this given your connection to them was evident here.
That impact looks very much like a nose first high energy impact which would account for the rotor assembly flying away from the main wreckage impact - if they pancacked hard enough to obliterate the airframe like that those skids would look very different IMHO - its hard to imagine a near vertical impact of a 206 that isn't a pancake - perhaps a pitch issue leading to nose down into vertical from height RIP
I didn’t know you were an okie! What a sad deal, I flew out of Weatherford the day before.
I have been a member of one of these companies for several years now ! In California. It is a sad day.
🙏💔 so tragic
It was a hard day when we received the email from the CEO Monday morning. I pray for the family and friends ❤
I live very close to Mercy and I hear MedFlight helicopters all the time flying in and out. I’ve often wondered why so many.
RIP TO THEM AND HEALING FOR FAMILIES
Sad day for sure 💔
The elevation at Hydro, the site of the crash is 1,526'. The aircraft, per ADS-B was at 1,700' throughout the flight. They may have had sufficient terrain clearance upon leaving OKC, but the elevation rose going westbound. 175' AGL was all they had if the numbers are correct.
175 AGL is dangerously close to the ground. Do helicopter pilots normally fly that low? Does the 500 ft rule not apply to them?
@@alexc5449 Typical minimums for night time HAA operations such as what Air Evac operates under is 500' AGL, except for takeoff and landing. Most general operations manuals state that it's preferred to fly at no less than 1,000' AGL, but 500' AGL is the absolute minimum.
Interesting. Looking at track logs of 4 previous flights on that same route leaving OL16 the altitudes at that point in the flight range from 2200-3000’.
@@Agusta109 That's partially correct. And 135.600 says 800' at night with ANVIS or TAWS. Minimum altitude for Part 135 operations is 300'. Thats day VFR. Night minimum altitude is 500'. 135.615 (3) (b) (1) and (2).
@@heartlandhawk4513 GOM's are usually written more strict than FARs. I'm not sure what AELs mins are at night, but the standard is typically more than the FARs. And, 175' is simply too low at night regardless of the equipment being used.
Im sorry brother
Thank you for the report, and I add my condolences for this tragedy. As a fixed-wing pilot, cruising at 800-900 feet at night in a sparsely populated (and presumably sparsely lit) area, even in good weather, doesn't seem to offer much margin of error. But I'm assuming they're VFR. I've flown over pitch-black country and if there's no very clear horizon, spacial disorientation is a real danger. Anything you can add about that, since you've indicated that altitude is quite common for these helicopters? Thanks again.
We had freezing drizzle last night here in Oklahoma. They could have built up ice on the fuselage
Maybe the aircraft started to experience extreme vibrations then mast failure? Extreme vibrations could have caused the transponder to work intermittently. Vibrations can cause Power or Radio signal issues. The wreckage is showing that they had little forward airspeed so it seems to me that they basically fell out to the sky. On top of that the rotor head seems to me a bit far away from the wreckage. A lot of questions here. I had an opportunity to work for Airevac a while ago. I've only met the finest people that worked for them. My thoughts are with them and their family.
I thought the same thing. Didn't the 407 have an AD on the blades for "De lamination"????
Bird strike and pilot incapacitation I dont believe it was a mechanical failure. Its that time of year that Geese are a major factor
@@JMHTruck32005 I don’t get AD information on the 407 or 206 models. That would be interesting if there were. Even so, Air Evac was very good about maintenance and I would think they would have addressed that.
@@tommy0112 it’s definitely possible but what I find curious is the rotor head being farther away from the wreckage. I wonder what the distance was.
@@tommy0112Most birds are sleeping at night. If it was a bird, that’s one unlucky helicopter.
Take care of yourself! 😢
Sorry for the loss. Seems like the usual controled flight into terrain. However, no trail into crash sight is unusual.
I would first offer my condolences to the family and co-workers. I just retired from 25+ years as a flight medic with Life Flight -Louisville and LifeLine- Indy. Those of us who work in aircraft are totally aware at any given moment things can go bad in an instant. I salute these hero’s for risking their lives to save others…and know they were doing the right thing… to help others…. People they had never met. My prayer is that all of us either on-duty, retired or soon to join this field will be held in the Lord’s and kept safe during their missions🙏🏼🙏🏼
The 206 is underpowered and is unsuitable for air ambulance work. I flew the Army's version for several years... Did about 1600 hours in various models in the Gulf of Mexico and 2 years in my first air ambulance job.. Air Evac got started buying old 20K hour 206's rebuilt by PHI.. They were dogs.. Our 206's were dogs. .After 2 years, we upgraded to BK-117's.. Those were fine helicopters for EMS work.. After many years, we traded them in for EC-145's, the finest helicopter I ever flew. We added some EC-135's.. They're Ok but you have to keep a close eye on fuel load and weight and balance.
it would appear that there was a mechanical issue and they weren't able to auto rotate down... the skids are on their side like they spun in and rolled over
As a former flight paramedic in Oklahoma, two engines are better than one.
Why? We experienced one engine failure and thank goodness the second engine carried us back to earth. My two cents and professional experience.
Unfortunate any crew
member lost their lives due to accident. My heart goes out to the families and other flight crew members.
Normal people having a normal response to abnormal situations or events.
My data shows. 127mph-1,736’ then they drop to 45mph-1,461ft in literally 1.2 seconds or so. The whole event time frame was 7.5-8.0 seconds. They went 127mph-1,736ft to 0mph/0ft in 8.0seconds. - remember 10,000 Feet per minute = 120mph per terminal velocity. It looks like a autorotation. Possibly engine killed over.
😢PRAYERS for everyone affected by this 🙏
My condolences. Unfortunately it wasn’t the first & won’t be the last. Remember Mercy Air 2 in Cajon Pass years ago, sad.
REST IN PEACE. PRAYERS TO ALL OF THE FAMILIES AND FRIENDS WHO ARE AFFECTED BY THIS TRAGEDY WAS WEATHER THE EFFECT OF THIS
Bell 206L-3 LongRanger III Owner/operator: Air Evac EMS Inc, opa. Air Evac Lifeteam Registration: _N295AE_ Year of manufacture: *1991*
It sounds like they found a bunch of dead geese carcasses at the crash site. I don't know anything more than anyone else, but this sounds like an unfortunate event of large birds coming through the windscreen and incapacitating the pilot.
My dad knew the pilot very well he is on the strike team for air evac. They think it was a flock of Canadian geese that caused this particular tragedy.
Last Adsb hit...there are 1800 ft towers near line of travel.
Years ago a Mercy Flight dropped off a patient then headed back to the hospital. On the way back they decided to take a tiny detour & check out some mountain goats. The helicopter crashed shortly after & all onboard died.
Terribly sad. My Son in law works for Air Evac in Texas.
Did I read correctly that the transponder has them at 1700 feet until the signal disappeared? When i look at the topo maps of the area, there is terrain at 1550. Is it customary to not have 500 feet AGL in cruise on a non-emergency flight, until they began their approach?
Looking back on replay of this mission all 3 legs were flown below 2,000 feet. One other AEL aircraft flew through the area about 15 minutes ahead of this crew at 2,300 feet. Pilot's prerogative?
Your looking at barometric altitude, which doesn't tell you the altitude corrected for pressure. The WGS84 altitude according to ADSB exchange is 2050ft, which is closer to actual, but not exact. The closest private field elevation to the crash site is TK @ 1427ft, which would put them at 623ft AGL. Also have to take into consideration the margin of error of things like ADSB, Flightaware etc.
Looks like possible a main rotor blade failure. Cause of the sudden fall and lack of debris field. And a main rotor blade not near the crash site. Half to wait for the NTSB to get the full picture cause no accident is just one cause.
There was a helicopter crash in Illinois in a 2000s ambulance helicopter, flying low hit tower, in North Aurora crashed very experienced crew unexplainable
Any possibility of Fuel Starvation? Thoughts on Icing? Did they have NVG’s?