Thu, Jun 01, 2006
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.
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