The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have released results of the agencies’ preliminary investigations into a deadly medical helicopter crash that occurred Monday at approximately 5:30 p.m. in Owen County.
Three people died in the fiery crash: Gale Alleman (pilot), Bethany Aicken (medical crew) and James Welsh (medical crew). Alleman had over 17,000 hours of flight experience, and had previously landed in the same location.
The crew, based in Grant County and designated Air Evac Lifeteam 133, was hovering as it waited for a landing zone to be set up, according to the NTSB, when the Bell 206 helicopter struck an inch-and-a-half circumference guy-wire connected to a tower, the FAA said in its Preliminary Accident and Incident Notes.
The aircraft then dropped straight to the ground and burst into flames, according to people at a nearby restaurant who witnessed the incident. The crash occurred near Owen County High School on Hwy 22.
The flight had been dispatched to pick up a cardiac patient, according to multiple media reports.
The FAA and NTSB investigations continue and could take up to 18 months to be finalized.
(Photo: James Welsh (top left), Bethany Aicken (top right), James Welsh (bottom right), courtesy of Kentucky Emergency Management)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
