UPDATE: NEVADA AIR AMBULANCE LOST POWER BEFORE CRASH, REPORTS NTSB

February 28, 2018
Abram I. Bohrer

Airplane crash attorneys Bohrer & Lukeman are continuing to monitor the November 18 air ambulance crash in Elko, Nevada that left four dead. The National Transportation Safety Board has released a preliminary report regarding the general aviation accident. According to the report, the Piper PA-31T “Cheyenne II” aircraft, registered N779MF, crashed and was destroyed upon impact with the ground following a “loss of control during initial climb” from the Elko Regional Airport at 1920 PST. The crash occurred .5 miles from the end of the departure runway.

According to eyewitness testimony, the twin-engine emergency service airplane made a sudden left turn after takeoff. The air ambulance ceased to climb, followed by a steep descent into the parking lot of Barrick Gold Corp. The turbine-powered “Cheyenne II” exploded on impact, setting fire to several vehicles. A number of secondary explosions followed due to the combustion of compressed medical gas bottles that were onboard, the NTSB reported. The pilot, two medical staff, and patient suffered fatal injuries.

The American Med Flight emergency service aircraft was being operated as an “instrument flight rules (IFR) air transport medical flight” under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135. The Federal Aviation Administration flight plan was “filed but had not been activated.”

The routine weather report generated by Elko Regional Airport shortly before 1900 hours recorded clear skies with visibility up to 10 miles. Weather conditions do not appear to have been a factor in the crash.

The preliminary report can be read here:

http://app.ntsb.gov/pdfgenerator/ReportGeneratorFile.ashx?EventID=20161119X04951&AKey=1&RType=Prelim&IType=FA

The NTSB is continuing its investigation into the causes of the crash which resulted in the wrongful death of its four occupants. The salvaged wreckage has been moved to a safe location for further examination; details about the plane’s engine and airframe are expected to be forthcoming.

The airplane crash attorneys at Bohrer & Lukeman will continue to follow this Elko general aviation accident as further developments emerge. The law firm, founded by Abram Bohrer, has offices in New York and New Jersey and over 25 years of experience focusing on the representation of people seriously injured and killed in aviation accidents and airplane crashes both domestically and internationally.

Aviation accident and airplane crash law firm Bohrer & Lukeman will update its website at www.flightinjury.com with any further updates from the Elko medical transport crash.