HEMS EC-130 down

3393RP

3393RP

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3393RP
Occurred around 19:10 local time. N414RX Airbus Helicopters EC-130 Reach Air Medical Sacramento. Multiple Injuries.

Crashed on Highway 50 in East Sacramento. Operated as Reach 5 and had taken off from the roof of UC Davis Medical Center just minutes before the crash. Complete traffic shutdown in both directions.


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Looks like an autorotation gone wrong. Don't see wires, but probably a blade hitting something caused it to roll over.
 
I think that's the sound I associated with a wire hit in the first video.
They probably stretched the glide to avoid hitting it head-on and it left them with no energy for a soft landing.
 
AV8R_87 said:
They probably stretched the glide to avoid hitting it head-on and it left them with no energy for a soft landing.
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No wires or poles in flight path and probably "stretched" the decent due to houses. Tailboom hit the highway embankment which appeared to cause the upset. From another site:

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Bacho said:
www.facebook.com

1.8M views · 16K reactions | Dash camera video shows the moment a REACH medical helicopter crashes on Highway 50 in Sacramento on Monday evening. The latest details on the investigation: https://tinyurl.com/wzu9yr48 | KCRA 3

Dash camera video shows the moment a REACH medical helicopter crashes on Highway 50 in Sacramento on Monday evening. The latest details on the investigation: https://tinyurl.com/wzu9yr48
www.facebook.com www.facebook.com

Dash cam, doesn't appear to me that is struck something.
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The usual number of useless boobs standing around with their phones while people need immediate help. I just can't wrap my head around it, I run towards the danger in those situations. I've been fortunate enough to make a difference in some instances.
 
3393RP said:
The usual number of useless boobs standing around with their phones while people need immediate help. I just can't wrap my head around it, I run towards the danger in those situations. I've been fortunate enough to make a difference in some instances.
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And indeed, a number of people did as you would have done.
@Sac Arrow which one is you? :)
 
asicer said:
And indeed, a number of people did as you would have done.
@Sac Arrow which one is you? :)
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And it was inspiring to see. Some press reports stated a flight nurse was trapped, and the bystanders lifted the tail boom in defiance of law enforcement orders.
 
3393RP said:
The usual number of useless boobs standing around with their phones while people need immediate help. I just can't wrap my head around it, I run towards the danger in those situations. I've been fortunate enough to make a difference in some instances.
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Some of us know our limitations.
 
bonefishpete said:
What do you think the breakdown of numbers single engine vs twin engine medical fleet? Here in Florida it seems all twin engines.
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HAA companies won’t be getting rid of their SE helicopters anytime soon. In fact, they continue to invest in increasing their fleet. Trend recently is going to IFR certified SE aircraft.

www.airbus.com

Global Medical Response orders 28 Airbus helicopters in fleet expansion

Global Medical Response has placed an order for 28 Airbus helicopters, including six H125s, five H130s, 14 H135s and three H145s.
www.airbus.com www.airbus.com

www.airmethods.com

Air Methods Expands Fleet with Nearly 50 New Aircraft to Enhance Nationwide Air Medical Services - Air Methods

Signs major purchase agreements with Bell Textron Inc., and AirBus Helicopters DALLAS, TX – March 12, 2025 – Air Methods, the nation’s leading air medical provider, is growing its fleet by nearly 50 aircraft to expand services across the country and serve more patients in need of emergency...
www.airmethods.com www.airmethods.com
 
bonefishpete said:
What do you think the breakdown of numbers single engine vs twin engine medical fleet?
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My info is a bit dated, but about 80% of EMS helicopters are single engine. However, in some cases twin engine is required outside of the economic side where a single engine would otherwise been used. And it is yet to be known if this accident was directly engine related.
 
bonefishpete said:
What do you think the breakdown of numbers single engine vs twin engine medical fleet? Here in Florida it seems all twin engines.
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There are 54 rotorwing EMS (HAA) helicopters in the state of Florida. 16 of them are single engine.
Florida is a bit unique in this situation but some states require all EMS helicopters to be twin engine.
 
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