Accident Overview
On January 29, 2019, about 0650 eastern standard time, a single-engine, turbine-powered Bell 407 helicopter (registration N191SF) collided with forested terrain approximately 4 miles northeast of Zaleski, Ohio. The helicopter was operating as a helicopter air ambulance (HAA) flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135. The certificated commercial pilot, flight nurse, and flight paramedic died, and the helicopter was destroyed.
Flight Details
The flight was registered to and operated by Viking Aviation, LLC, doing business as Survival Flight Inc. Company flight-following procedures were in effect for the visual flight rules (VFR) flight. The helicopter departed Mount Carmel Hospital in Grove City, Ohio, about 0628, and was destined for Holzer Meigs Emergency Department in Pomeroy, Ohio, approximately 69 nautical miles southeast, to pick up a patient.
Weather Conditions
Night visual meteorological conditions existed at the departure location. However, available weather information indicated that snow showers and areas of instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) existed along the route of flight.
Investigation
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigated the accident and released its full report as NTSB/AAR-20/01. The report is available at the NTSB website.