MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A National Transportation Safety Board report says a medical helicopter crash that killed three people in West Tennessee was likely caused when the pilot lost control of the aircraft during a climb.
The probable cause report dated Tuesday provided details of the Oct. 22, 2013 crash in Fayette County that killed pilot Charles D. Smith, pediatric nurse Carrie Barlow and pediatric respiratory therapist Denise Adams.
The Hospital Wing helicopter crashed and burned on the way to pick up an ailing child in Bolivar.
Adams and Barlow worked for Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis.
The NTSB report says the pilot may have received an obstacle alert in weather conditions that led him to operate under instrument flight rules, but the aircraft was not equipped for flight under instrument flight rules.
