Report on Helicopter Crash in Haywood County Released
Last Updated on Monday, 12 April 2010 20:24 Written by Rob Monday, 12 April 2010 20:20
According government investigators, a medical helicopter pilot was trying to out run an upcoming thunderstorm before crashing in Tennessee, killing himself and two nurses.
The National Transportation Safety Board released a preliminary report monday that did not include a ruling on the March 25 crash.
The helicopter crashed into a Haywood County field near US Highway 70 around 55 miles northeast of Memphis. It was operated by Hospital Wing, and was en route to return to bae in Brownsville around 6am on March 25.
Another company held flights, due to weather, around the same time.
The NTSB report says that after talking to the crew by phone, they were aware a storm was coming but thought it would be out run it, according to a co-worker. The co-worker went on to report loud thunder and lightning moments before the incident occurred.
Nearby factory workers claimed to have seen a large burst of lightning and and orange glow where the plane hit, says Haywood County Sheriff Melvin Bond.
Bond went on to say that the pilot gave no hint of there being a problem.
Nurses Misty Brogdon, age 36, and Cindy Parker, age 48, were killed in the crash. Pilot Doug Phillips, age 58, was also killed.
No signs of a lightning strike were found by investigators amongst the debris.
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