Bell Long Ranger Air Ambulance Down in Oklahoma, 3 Dead

[PHXPhlyer]

Three members of air ambulance crew killed in Oklahoma helicopter crash
The crash was reported near Weatherford after the control center lost contact with the Air Evac Lifeteam helicopter crew shortly before 11:30 p.m.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/th ... rcna134992

WEATHERFORD, Okla. — Three members of an air ambulance crew were killed when their helicopter crashed late Saturday in Oklahoma, officials said.

The crash was reported near Weatherford after the control center lost contact with the Air Evac Lifeteam helicopter crew shortly before 11:30 p.m., the company said in a statement Sunday.

The crew was returning to base in Weatherford, 70 miles west of Oklahoma City, after completing a patient care transport to the capital, the statement said.

Nearby Air Evac teams assisted law enforcement with the search for the crew members. The company did not say where the Bell 206L3 was found and did not immediately release the victims’ names.

The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash.

PP

[CharlieOneSix]

Extracted from Oklahoma's News 4 site:

In the photo below one main rotor blade and head is separate from the main wreckage and one blade missing ......

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

Can't see any high wires or masts near the crash site.
Routing fits a direct run back from Oke City, slightly north, presumably to run into Weatherford airport from the NE for noise abatement given the time.
6nm from base, so unlikely to be low yet.
Maybe the blade just came off?

[FD2]

Crash site looks like vertical impact with no evidence of forward motion.

[CharlieOneSix]

Preliminary Report published : https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/ ... 193686/pdf

The carcasses of several geese were located in the debris field as well as one embedded in a
flight control servo. Samples of the geese feathers were recovered for more detailed
identification.

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

Night birdstrike of geese - Nothing one can do about that one.

[probes]

Uhh, double loss - crew and the medics. So sad.

[PHXPhlyer]

This deer strike came out a little better.

N1957Z-- LaFawnduh.jpg (72.49 KiB) Viewed 258 times

PP