"CareFlite is one of the few air medical companies in the country that requires that of its pilots," said Swartz. "We do everything that every expert says should be done."ĬareFlite requires all of its pilots to hold an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate the highest rating a civilian pilot can have in the United States. "CareFlite was chosen, by the NTSB, to represent small air carriers at the hearings in Washington – February a year ago," recalled Swartz. He said there had been other flights made in the chopper that was purchased from a firm in Carrollton and that it had been safely used for medical transports for a number of years before being purchased by CareFlite.ĬareFlite officials say the company always stresses safety and their helicopters have two engines, so there will always be a backup system. Swartz said the helicopter that went down had been in the fleet for several months and was being prepared to be placed on the CareFlite FAA certificate. NTSB air safety investigator Tom Latson says the wreckage was discovered in three distinct pieces - the fuselage, the main rotor assembly and the tailboom. And until that’s determined, by the accident investigators, I really don’t think it’s appropriate for us to speculate on what caused it ," he said. "Whether in fact it was that bolt or that nut we don’t know at this time whether that in fact was the failure or whether the failure occurred at somewhere else in the power train. Swartz w ouldn’t speculate on what caused the accident. Another source also told CBS 11 that investigators were having difficulty locating the main rotor retaining nut of the helicopter. On Wednesday, Midlothian Police told CBS 11 News that the tail section came loose before the crash. Minutes after the crash CareFlite and FAA officials confirmed that the pilot and a mechanic were the only people onboard when the helicopter went down in an open field in Ellis County. According to Swartz, the changes mean their ability to handle emergency transfers is diminished by about 20-percent. To compensate for the aircrafts that will be out of use, the company has put four Agusta 109 (4-blade) helicopters back into service, along with a fixed-wing aircraft. "The two Bell 222s that remain are grounded until we understand the cause of the accident and until the external audit is completed." Swartz said all other F-222s in the fleet will remain grounded while the crash is being investigated. There had been requests for CareFlite air transports overnight but the company turned them down. "The Bell 222 has a solid record of safe performance, both nationwide and here at CareFlite," said Swartz.Īfter the crash CareFlite grounded its entire fleet until 7am today. The Bell F-222 medical helicopter was on a maintenance flight when it went down. Swartz, a former Army helicopter pilot, said he’s been in aviation for some 35 years and "Yesterday was my worst nightmare, and I’m 61, and that was my worst nightmare come to life." The president and CEO of CareFlite, Jim Swartz, held a press conference at the Grand Prairie Airport Thursday morning to discuss the latest concerning the deadly medical helicopter crash. The victims are 23-year-old mechanic Stephen Thomas Durler of Dallas and 44-year-old pilot Guy Del Giudice of Keller. There's nothing to indicate the collision was intentional, and there's no evidence to suggest drugs or alcohol were involved, he added.The two people killed in the CareFlite medical helicopter crash in Midlothian on Wednesday have been identified. He is the only person expected to be charged in the crash and could face additional charges, Countryman said. Firefighters fight flames after a fiery crash on Interstate 70 in the Denver area on Thursday which involved three semi tractor-trailers and a dozen cars, authorities said. It appears Aguilera-Mederos was born in Cuba and living in the United States legally with a green card, Lakewood police said in a statement Friday afternoon. He had been injured in the crash, but not seriously. None of the victims have been identified.Īguilera-Mederos, who is from Texas and had a Commercial Driver's License, was booked at the Jefferson County jail and was cooperating with investigators, Countryman said. A West Metro firefighter also suffered minor injuries after being hit by debris from a possible tire explosion, the department said. He said six people were hospitalized, but he did not know their conditions. The death toll is not expected to rise, but could, Countryman said. "The carnage was significant - just unbelievable," said Countryman on Friday.
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