Jun. 14—The pilot of the Erlanger Life Force helicopter that crashed in North Carolina on March 9 was reviewing flight logs while on autopilot when he looked up to see trees looming ahead, according to a federal report on the crash.
The pilot has since lost his job, according to Med-Trans Corp, Erlanger's Life Force partner.
The National Traffic and Safety Board found the cause of the crash was "the pilot's improper decision to review an aircraft logbook while en route, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain," according to the investigative agency's final report.
According to the NTSB's June 6 report, the pilot, unnamed in federal documents, gave an account of events.
Document
— Read the NTSB report
Prior to the flight, the pilot determined the highest obstacle en route was 6,100 feet with several 5,000- to 5,500-foot peaks along the route. In addition, the pilot noted night would fall during the flight. The report states the Life Force helicopter was flying from Murphy, North Carolina, to Asheville, North Carolina, about 100 miles north.
The narrative in the report describes the series of events.
"After departure, he dialed 5,500 feet into the autopilot and leveled off. He went to don the night vision goggles and noted that they were on the copilot seat on top of an aircraft logbook. He went to move the logbook to the pilot door compartment, where it was typically stowed for flight, and decided to check the flight times against the times that maintenance was due. At that point, he noticed the cloud ceiling was lowering and dialed in 5,000 feet into the autopilot, then 'went back heads down' to continue his review of the logbook," the report said. "Then, the flight nurse asked for an updated estimated time en route, and when the pilot looked up, he saw the helicopter was approaching a tree-covered peak."
According to the report, the pilot then attempted to climb but the helicopter's tail boom struck several trees, separating the craft's vertical stabilizer from the tail boom.
"The pilot subsequently performed a forced landing to a road, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and tail boom," the report said. "The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation."
The aircraft involved in the crash, identified as Life Force 6, is typically stationed in Cherokee County, North Carolina, and covers a 150-mile radius, according to Erlanger officials. At the time of the crash, Life Force 6 was carrying a patient from Erlanger's satellite hospital in Murphy, North Carolina, to Mission Hospital in Asheville, North Carolina.
According to federal officials, three passengers sustained minor injuries and the crew was uninjured. Damage to the helicopter was described as substantial, but there was no fire or explosion.
"We appreciate everyone's effort in identifying the underlying cause of this event, and we will work with our partner, Med-Trans Corp., to ensure the finding is appropriately and timely addressed. Patient and crew safety remains our top priority," Erlanger officials said, according to a statement emailed Wednesday by hospital spokesperson Blaine Kelley.
A spokesperson for Med-Trans Corp. said in a statement the company appreciates the "diligence and comprehensiveness" with which authorities completed their investigation.
"We've already taken steps to address issues and probable cause identified in the final report," the spokesperson said. "We're carefully reviewing the report and, if necessary, will take additional steps/actions as needed. Med-Trans Corporation terminated the pilot's employment with the company."
The company reported the termination to the Federal Aviation Administration in accordance with applicable laws, the spokesperson said.
Contact Ben Benton at [email protected] or 423-757-6569.
Federal Aviation Administration / Aft view of Erlanger hospital's Life Force 6 at the crash site in North Carolina.
___
(c)2023 the Chattanooga Times/Free Press (Chattanooga, Tenn.)
Visit the Chattanooga Times/Free Press (Chattanooga, Tenn.) at www.timesfreepress.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
