Vanderbilt Lifeflight Airbus Helicopter Fatal, 11/8/25

Kenny Phillips said:
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Vanderbilt LifeFlight Helicopter Crash Leaves 1 Dead, 2 Critically Injured - EMS Flight Safety Network

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Preliminary ADS-B data shows that the helicopter departed the north side of KXNX and proceeded south to an inflight altitude of 4,100 ft. About 5 minutes into the flight, the helicopter entered a 180 turn back towards the airport. Two minutes later, the helicopter was 1.90 miles south of the airport when it entered a descending right hand turn towards an open field. The helicopter struck the top of a tree and impacted terrain. There was no post crash fire.

Fuel?
 
Look at you adding value to the conversation.

I guess Doc put us in our place, we'll just wait two years for the NTSB report.

Mods can close this thread. Nothing to learn from discussing a recent accident in a civilized manner. /s
 
AV8R_87 said:
Look at you adding value to the conversation.

I guess Doc put us in our place, we'll just wait two years for the NTSB report.

Mods can close this thread. Nothing to learn from discussing a recent accident in a civilized manner. /s
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He did use green so he gets a pass.
 
One pundit postulated that the pilot had some physical issue, and perhaps a passenger was assisting in the flying. Some companies actually train for that.
 
Incapacitated pilot would be incredibly difficult to pull off with the 130’s left pilot seat. Right seat (B206/407) is easier to get access to the collective. They’ve got a fighting chance at least. I always tell them, if all else fails, forget the procedures and just revert to flight control. Maintain a level attitude, minimize inputs and what ever you do, don’t get slow (less 30 kts). Of course, getting up to the cockpit is a whole other issue. Especially with a patient on board.
 
This is the only place I could find in a brief search that pilot incapacitation is brought up. If that was the case, this was probably as good a result as could be hoped for. I can't imagine the crew in back attempting to take the controls in such a confined cabin.

Iowa has had two HEMS incidents just this week. Both bird strikes at night, both resulted in off field landings, and both fortunately with no or minor injuries.
 
There have been several pax saves in the 206/407 model line after the pilot passed out or away. However, we don't know if this was the case here given the reasons mentioned above.

My guess this was all pilot and he almost made it. One of the best pilots I knew starting feeling bad and abruptly landed on the nearest oil platform much to the dismay of his pax. With in a second of rolling the throttle to idle he slumped forward dead of a massive heart attack.
 
Unusual set of circumstances but I’m hearing possible incapacitation and the flight nurse was out of buckle trying to land the aircraft. The pilot (Air Evac) on the flight that picked up one of the crew members actually died in a car crash a week later.
 
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Kenny Phillips said:
One pundit postulated that the pilot had some a possible physical issue problem, and perhaps a passenger was assisting participating in the flying procedure. Some companies actually train for that.
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Phyxed that phor you.
 
AV8R_87 said:
Because it comes standard with dual flight controls. And other EMS operators retain dual controls in their SPIFR machines.
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You do realize those dual controls on the EC130 are removable, and aren't there so they can put the stretcher in?

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Doc Holliday said:
You do realize those dual controls on the EC130 are removable
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Yes
Doc Holliday said:
and aren't there so they can put the stretcher in?
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When I read the report initially it made me think the flight paramedic was seated in a front seat, but without controls. That's why I was wondering why they wouldn't leave the controls installed.

The guy tried landing from the backseat. Double wow!
 
The only HIMS helicopter I've ever seen firsthand with dual controls AND patient stretcher installed was a Sikorsky S-76. Bell 206/407/429 and Airbus EC130/145 models all require removal of the extra seat and controls.
 
AV8R_87 said:
The guy tried landing from the backseat. Double wow!
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He actually landed it leaning over the center console and across the pilots lap since the collective is between the pilot seat and the door.

midwestpa24 said:
The only HIMS HEMS helicopter I've ever seen firsthand with dual controls AND patient stretcher installed was a Sikorsky S-76. Bell 206/407/429 and Airbus EC130/145 models all require removal of the extra seat and controls.
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FWIW: Close since they're both "medical platforms." You can add the AW 109, 119, 139, 169; Bell 429, EC145 and EC135 to the co-pilot seat and controls remain installed with some flown dual pilot. The 206, 407, H125/AS350, and H130 to the remove seat and control group
 
Bell206 said:
He actually landed it leaning over the center console and across the pilots lap since the collective is between the pilot seat and the door.
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That was a heroic effort on the part of the backseater. Amazing that anybody survived
 
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midwestpa24 said:
The only HIMS helicopter I've ever seen firsthand with dual controls AND patient stretcher installed was a Sikorsky S-76. Bell 206/407/429 and Airbus EC130/145 models all require removal of the extra seat and controls.
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Very few providers keep the controls installed even in aircraft where the paramedic / nurse sits up front. Pretty sure Vandy doesn’t put them in on their 135s / 145s for patient flights. Training only.
 
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AV8R_87 said:
Maybe this will make them rethink it.
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The reality is that the outcome was a statistical outlier. Removing the controls allows operators to use less expensive helicopters. That's not something which should be criticized. HEMS is an expensive operation, and the dedication of the crews is in the highest traditions of helping those in need.
 
3393RP said:
The reality is that the outcome was a statistical outlier. Removing the controls allows operators to use less expensive helicopters. That's not something which should be criticized. HEMS is an expensive operation, and the dedication of the crews is in the highest traditions of helping those in need.
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We used to have duals in on our 412s but when they went with 135s, they were removed. Different opinions why but I think insurance requirements probably had something to do with it. With a non pilot with access to a set of controls, it increases the chance for inadvertent interference. It also creates an opportunity for a FAR violation (non pilot flying) and increases the likelihood of an accident if they were allowed to touch the controls. Pros and cons to each I suppose.
 
AV8R_87 said:
Maybe this will make them rethink it.
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Why? The nurse and/or paramedic is not flight qualified.

In the EC135/145's I've been in the co-pilot seat is typically not occupied and there is no way to get from the back to that seat in flight.
 
Doc Holliday said:
Why? The nurse and/or paramedic is not flight qualified.
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This one did a pretty good job from the back seat, despite the lack of qualifications.

Doc Holliday said:
In the EC135/145's I've been in the co-pilot seat is typically not occupied and there is no way to get from the back to that seat in flight.
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A lot of operations that keep the front seat and controls will put a medic there. Sometimes it's driven by CG requirements. And plenty of pilots have the "here's what you do if I keel over" mindset and provide them with enough training to attempt a decent landing.
 
AV8R_87 said:
This one did a pretty good job from the back seat, despite the lack of qualifications.
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Survival. And they came very close to a no survivor accident.
AV8R_87 said:
A lot of operations that keep the front seat and controls will put a medic there. Sometimes it's driven by CG requirements. And plenty of pilots have the "here's what you do if I keel over" mindset and provide them with enough training to attempt a decent landing.
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Not sure which operations you are referring to. I'm very familiar with the EC130/EC135/EC145 operators as well as others using B206L/B407 airframes. In the EC helicopters I'm not sure of these CG problems you are mentioning.

These are 135 operations which have strict training requirements. Can you name the operators with pilots that are teaching paramedics/nurses how to fly the helicopter?
 
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