Careflite helicopter crashes in Ellis County

[txfirefighter23]

A CareFlight helicopter is down near Midlothian in Ellis County.


Two people are dead; there were no patients on board, according to the FAA.


The helicopter may have been on a maintenance flight out of Grand Prairie airport, according to initial reports.


WFAA aerials show a destroyed helicopter, still smoldering in a partially burned field.


The location of the crash is at Highway 67 and Wyatt Road. The crash took place at 2:15 p.m., said the FAA.


The helicopter blade is some distance away from the crash site. A small fire was ignited around the crash site.


The area is a practice area for helicopter pilots.


http://www.wfaa.com/home/Helicopter-cra ... 44389.html

 

[nwiamedic]

Looking at the pics on WFAA's website... I see some similarities to CareFlight in my area... Although they have a new ride up here.

 

[txfirefighter23]

They had recently got the helicopter and had not painted it to there blue/orange/white paint scheme.

 

[RMBROWN]

R.I.P.

 

[chfdbigbad]

Is it me or do the main rotors and tail section look in too good of shape to have been attached to the helicopter when it crashed. the main rotors are in 1 piece and so is the tail section, but the main body of the craft is gone.

 

[txfirefighter23]

Early reports suggest the nut holding the main rotor came off and the main rotor flew off cutting the tail off.

 

[CenTexPSE]

Looking at the pics on WFAA's website... I see some similarities to CareFlight in my area... Although they have a new ride up here.

Similar, but our agency here is different company. Different spelling. CareFlite, instead of Careflight. The aircraft that went down looks real similar to the one in the pic, this may have been a new aircraft they were looking to add to the fleet of aging Agusta's??

 

[bobbyaa]

Video from the memorial. I attended and it was a great service.


http://emsflightcrew.com/node/5624

 

[Jarred J.]

Early reports suggest the nut holding the main rotor came off and the main rotor flew off cutting the tail off.

there's a reason why its called "the jesus nut"

 

[cory y]

I know one of the Dispatchers for Careflite, from what they are saying is that this helicoper was one of 2 used choppers they bought with the intention of using one to cannibalize for parts. Well this particular helo had lots of pre-existing problems.. basically a lemon.


NTSB Identification: CEN10FA291


14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation


Accident occurred Wednesday, June 02, 2010 in Midlothian, TX


Aircraft: BELL 222, registration: N515MK


Injuries: 2 Fatal.


This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.


On June 2, 2010 at approximately 1400 central daylight time, a Bell 222U, multi-engine helicopter, N515MK, was destroyed after impacting terrain near Midlothian, Texas. The airline transport rated pilot and the mechanic, who were the only occupants, sustained fatal injuries. The helicopter was owned and operated by CareFlite, Grand Prairie, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident and a company flight plan had been filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 return to service flight following maintenance that had been performed. The helicopter had departed the Grand Prairie Municipal Airport (GPM) Grand Prairie, Texas at approximately 1352, and had planned to return to GPM airport.


The helicopter was in cruise flight at approximately 600 feet above ground level (AGL) when several witnesses saw the tail boom and the main rotor system separate from the helicopter. The fuselage was destroyed in an immediate post-impact fire. The main rotor mast separated just below the head. The main rotor system including the hub and blade assembly, pitch change links, and walking beam assembly remained connected to the swash plate assembly and impacted terrain approximately 200 feet northeast of the main wreckage. The entire tail boom assembly separated just aft of the fuselage and impacted terrain approximately 400 feet northeast of the main wreckage.


The wreckage was removed to a secure storage facility for continued investigation.