February 6, 2024
The preliminary report of the downed medical helicopter that claimed three lives has been released by the National Transportation Safety Board.
According to the report, NTSB officials said a dead goose was found in part of the flight control system.
Despite the findings, the report did not state an official cause of the crash, saying that “a review of the U.S. Air Force’s Avian Hazard Advisory System found the probability of bird activity ‘low’ in the vicinity of the accident.”
However, the report also said that several geese carcasses were found at the debris field that is located just east of Hydro.
The NTSB also said that “all major components” of the helicopter were found at the crash site and were recovered.
The crash occurred just before 11:30 p.m. on January 20 when the helicopter was returning to it’s Weatherford base after dropping off a patient at an Oklahoma City area hospital.
Pilot Russell Haslam, Flight Nurse Adam Tebben and Flight Paramedic Steven Fitzgerald all perished in the crash.
The NTSB said the report on the probable cause of the crash could take up to two years to complete.
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