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NTSB Faults Pilot For Deadly Helicopter Crash In Maryland

In its final report released earlier this month, the National Transportation Safety Board stated pilot error was probably the cause of the helicopter crash on South Mountain on July 23, 2009. 

Four people were killed when the helicopter went down on the flight from Hagerstown to Frederick.  The NTSB says the pilot used poor judgment when he chose to make the flight on the dark night in adverse weather conditions even after talking with a fellow employee at Advanced Helicopter Concepts.   

The report states the helicopter took off after the Hagerstown air traffic control tower closed and entered an area of reduced visibility near the top of South Mountain.  It is thought it turned around and was headed back west when it hit power lines and crashed and burst into flames. 

This helicopter crash is a perfect example of how on board recording devices would help investigators know exactly what was decided in the cockpit.

Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed In Maryland Medical Helicopter Crash

The husband of a medical technician killed when a Maryland State Police helicopter crashed in September 2008 has filed a $7 million wrongful death lawsuit against the federal government. 

In March, relatives of the paramedic on board filed a $15 million lawsuit.  A personal injury claim for $50 million was filed by the  lone survivor of the crash only to have the FAA deny the claim. 

The helicopter was en route from a traffic accident to a hospital when it was diverted to Andrews Air Force Base because of bad weather.  The pilot had trouble with the foggy weather as he was trying to land and radioed for help twice before crashing 3 miles from the base.  His calls for help were never answered by the air traffic controllers.

The lawsuit claims “negligence” on the part of the Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controllers. 

Four of the five on board were killed including one of the traffic accident victims. 

 Helicopter Wrongful Death

EagleMed Helicopter Crash Kills Two – Helicopter Has History of Crashes

Two people are dead and another in critical condition following an EagleMed 1998 Eurocopter AS-350 helicopter crash in Oklahoma on Thursday.  A witness says the chopper went into a tail spin before clipping the top trees, hitting the ground and bursting into flames.  The pilot and the nurse were killed in the crash – the paramedic was the only survivor. 

NTSB documents show other AS-350 have gone down 58 times in the last five years.  Earlier this year an AS-350 crashed in Tennessee killing the pilot and two nurses.  Although pilot error was found to be the cause of some of the crashes, there is evidence that mechanical error was the cause of other crashes.  EagleMed’s history is much better than the AS-350, with only two accidents in its 30-year history. 

The NTSB works closely with the FAA to determine if there are safety issues that need to be addressed with certain aircrafts or in the industry.  

The preliminary report from the NTSB is expected to be released next week.

Medical Helicopter Crash

Medical Transport Plane Crashes into Lake Michigan

According to CBS News, a Cessna 206 medical transport plane carrying a cancer patient to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota crashed into Lake Michigan.  The plane left Alma – about 150 miles NW of Detroit – and went down off the shore of Ludington on Michigan’s west coast.  Shortly before the crash, the pilot reported a loss of power to the Minneapolis Control Center and was hopeful of a safe return to Ludington.

Carol Freed and her husband, Jerry, owned the plane and often flew people to Mayo on a volunteer basis.  Jerry was rescued about 2 hours after the crash but after 27 hours of continuous searching, the search for the missing four has been called off.

Medical Plane Crashes

Newfoundland Helicopter Crash Lawsuit Setted

In March of 2009, seventeen people perished in a helicopter crash off the coast of Newfoundland. The Sikorsky S-92A helicopter was making an emergency return to St. John’s airport when it plunged into the ocean, killing all on board.

In June, a lawsuit was filed against Sikorsky, Keystone Helicopters and United Technologies Corp. alleging there were obvious safety concerns and a Transportation Safety Board reports the helicopter’s tail rotor gears had been damaged and may have caused the pilots to lost control of the aircraft.

In July, the sides entered into discussions to settled the case, but are not releasing details of the settlement.

Families of the victims said their goal was also to get answers as to the caused of the crash in an effort to prevent this from happening again.

Crouse Law Offices has the necessary experience and knowledge to handle your helicopter case, regardless of the type of aircraft or where the accident occurred. Experience means knowing the equipment, how to succeed – and how to win. Please call us at 919-861-0500 or contact us by using our online form.

Settlement in Helicopter Crash

Deadline Set For $11.4M “Final Season” Deadly Helicopter Crash Lawsuit

A judge in Polk County, Iowa has set a date for all parties involved in an $11.4 million lawsuit following a deadly helicopter crash to settle the case through mediation.

In June 2006, a helicopter used in the filming of the high school baseball movie, ‘Final Season’, hit a power line and crashed killing a cameraman and injuring the pilot and film producer.

A Polk County jury has awarded $7.2 million to the widow of the cameraman and $4.2 million to the producer, stating the pilot and two other producers were at fault in the helicopter crash.

Crouse Law Offices has vast experience in the field of Aviation Law. Mr. Crouse is a qualified Army helicopter pilot and has the experience and knowledge needed to competently handle your helicopter case. If you have been injured or have had a loved one killed in a helicopter crash, call our offices at 1-919-861-0500 or contact us online for a free evaluation of your case.

‘Final Season’ Helicopter Crash

Mother Sues After Daughter Dies In Helicopter Crash

The mother of an Oklahoma woman who died last month in a helicopter crash has filed suit against the pilot’s estate, his parents, the helicopter manufacturer, the owner of the helicopter and five unknown men, reports the Tahlequah Daily Press.

The crash of the Robinson R-22 in mid-October killed her daughter and the 26-year-old pilot. The suit alleges the pilot negligently operated the aircraft which caused the injuries that led to her daughter’s death. The pilot’s parents are listed because they had control over the helicopter and allowed their son to fly the chopper, knowing he had “reckless flying habits.” Robinson Helicopter Co. is accused of negligent design of the R-22 which made it “defective and unreasonably dangerous.”

A judgment of $10,000 from each defendant is sought in the case.

Crouse Law Offices has vast experience in the field of Aviation Law. Mr. Crouse is a qualified Army helicopter pilot and has the experience and knowledge needed to competently handle your helicopter case. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a helicopter crash, call our offices at 1-919-861-0500 or online for a free evaluation of your case.

Helicopter Crash Lawsuit