PHOENIX, Dec. 16 (UPI) — Two crew members aboard a medical helicopter died when the aircraft went down in rugged terrain east of Phoenix.
The helicopter, operated by Air Methods Corps., was traveling with a pilot, a paramedic and a nurse. The company did not identify who died but said the third person on the aircraft was “safe.” There were no patients aboard.
“We are deeply saddened by the news that two of our crew members were taken from us, and our hearts go out to their family and loved ones,” the company said in a statement.
The Federal Aviation Administration said it is investigating what caused the helicopter to crash in the Superstition Mountains. The aircraft was returning to Globe, located about 90 miles from Phoenix.
Early on, Christina Brodsly, a spokeswoman for Air Methods, said there was conflicting reports about the extent of injuries, adding the company wants to “continue to make sure we have all of the facts correct” before commenting.
“At this time, we can confirm that three crew members — pilot, flight paramedic and flight nurse — were on board the aircraft,” she said. “The FAA and the NTSB have our full cooperation as they further investigate the accident.”
Officials said the crash area was mountainous, making search and rescue operations difficult.
On Dec. 11, four people aboard a SkyLife medical transport helicopter died when the aircraft crashed en route to a hospital in central California. Among those dead is patient Kathryn Brown, a substitute teacher in California.
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