Helicopter Crash in the Superststions

[The_Eagle]

http://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/arizon ... 4443-story

3 on board, Medical Helicopter.

Roger Trough Area.

[outdoor_lover]

We Posted right at the Same Time it looks like...I'll move mine over.....

A Medical Helicopter (Native Air) has Crashed tonight in the Eastern Superstitions...The only Information I have gotten right now is that the Rescue is Mobilized out of Roger's Trough TH and they have Airlifted 1 Survivor to Maricopa Medical Center in a Blackhawk Helicopter...That's all I know right now...Even the 10:00 News didn't have that much....

[The_Eagle]

Another report has the scene as "PCSO identified the crash site as being near Sawtooth Ridge, 12 miles north of Superior."

[chumley]

Pinal County Sheriff's Office

Helicopter Crash: At approximately 6pm last night, a Native Air medical transport helicopter with three crew (pilot and two medical staff) went missing while returning to Globe. One crew member survived the Airbus AS 350 B3 crash, located approximately 12 miles north of the town of Superior in a rugged wilderness area with limited access. There were no medical patient on board. Our Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue and Detectives have secured the crash scene awaiting the arrival later today from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) who will conduct the crash investigation in conjunction with our Sheriff's Office. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the crash victims.

Awaiting Sheriff Babeau's news conference...

[outdoor_lover]

What a Shame....My Heart goes out to the Families and Friends of those Lost and sending Healing Thoughts to the Survivor.....

[RickVincent]

I wonder what they were doing out there. Were they looking for someone, and if so, what is the status of that person or persons? Hard to see people die who are in the business of keeping others alive.

[chumley]

@Rick Vincent
It was returning to Globe from Mesa Gateway. A direct line flight path would take it over Haunted Canyon. Sawtooth Ridge is only 9 miles north of Superior. 12 miles as noted is closer to Pinto Peak. Of course, reports of locations and mileage are likely inexact at this point. In any case, it wasn't more than a few miles off the direct line path between the two points it was traveling between. I'm sure more details will emerge in the investigation.

[outdoor_lover]

The News Conference.... (dead link removed)

[chumley]

Review of facts as reported so far:
Helicopter: Native Air AS350 B3
Flight Plan: Mesa Gateway to Globe
Occupants: Pilot, 51, male, Gilbert (deceased), Nurse, 38, male, Mesa (deceased), Medic, 38, male, Gilbert (critical)
One of the deceased survived the crash and the medic attempted to perform rescue treatment unsuccessfully.
Location: 12 miles north of Superior, near Sawtooth Ridge. There is 3-4" of snow on the ground at the crash site.
Crash time: about 6:00pm
Wreckage Found: about 8:30pm by Native Air and Air Evac helicopter
Survivor Located: about 9:00pm by DPS helicopter after he signaled with a flashlight
Survivor Rescued: about 10:30pm by US Air Force Blackhawk helicopter

[sneakySASQUATCH]

I have a friend who flies out of the same base and a buddy that works at the Gilbert hospital, but frequently works over at the base so I'm glad they checked in this morning before names were released. Another, buddy worked there until a couple months ago when he started working for my company's air medical branch in Globe. My heart goes out to all three who are grieving as well as the families of the individuals. My understanding is that they were located earlier by a Native Air Medical aircraft around 8:30 pm and a dps aircraft later but neither were able to land and provide aid because of the rough terrain.

[outdoor_lover]

A Friend of Mine is a Flight Nurse for that same Company...I immediately thought of her, but she Posted pretty quick so I didn't have to wonder long....She is Devastated understandably...

[RowdyandMe]

@Outdoor Lover I really am lost for words just so tragic. When I read your post I knew I couldn't have said it any better than you.

[chumley]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nati ... /77533638/

[wallyfrack]

before photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/code20photog/6190954471

Report: http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=182366

[big_load]

before photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/code20photog/6190954471

Report: http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=182366

From the report: "They rescued about 4 hours after the crash in sub-zero temperatures by a USAF helicopter ..."

I assume they mean below 0 C. It wasn't really below 0 F, was it?

[chumley]

@big_load
I saw that too. Clearly incorrect. Possibly in the teens (F) at the coldest.

[outdoor_lover]

I'm sure they were talking 0 C....The Guy I talked to said it was 26 Degrees at the Roger's Trough TH at 10:00 P.M.

[jameslcox44]

@Rick Vincent
Hi Rick,

Just wanted to let you know, we finally did your route of Reverse Flatiron. Glen posted it today. From the sprire, we did the hard left and moved up the left side of the wash, and followed the saddle to the ridgeline that led us to 5024. Thanks for your excellent instruction. Have a Merry Christmas.
jameslcox44

[outdoor_lover]

Update on the Survivor.... http://www.ems1.com/ems-advocacy/articl ... -recovery/