Two Dead After Medical Helicopter And Plane Collide
A midair collision between a 1967 single-engine Cessna 172L and a Eurocopter EC135 AirCare 5 medical transport helicopter in Virginia has left two dead. The accident happened New Year’s Eve about half-mile north of the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport in Weyers Cave.
The helicopter is registered to PHI Inc. in Lafayette, La. The plane was registered to Michael W. Price of Elton, although he was not on the plane at the time of the crash.
The collision between the two aircraft knocked off the plane’s left wing and both occupants were killed when it plummeted to the ground. The plane was totally destroyed by the impact with the ground.
It is not known what the plane’s destination was or where the flight originated. The helicopter was returning from the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville and, although damaged, managed to land safely with three crew members on board.
A helicopter instructor who saw the helicopter come in cited the safety features on that aircraft and the training of the pilots for “amazing job” of landing.
The NTSB is investigating the cause of the incident.
Labels: Medical Helicopter Crash Attorney, NTSB, Plane CrashPosted by 2:36 pm