Federal investigators have released their preliminary findings into the fatal crash of a medical helicopter on Eastbound Highway 50 in Sacramento last month.
The National Transportation Safety Board released its two-page report Tuesday detailing the helicopter’s final moments as it went down near the 59th Street exit, bringing traffic to a halt for several hours.
Three crewmembers were aboard the REACH Air Medical Services Airbus Helicopters EC130 — pilot Chad Millward, Flight Paramedic Margaret “DeDe” Davis and Flight Nurse Susan “Suzie” Smith.
The NTSB report said the helicopter had departed from the heliport at UC Davis Medical Center just after 7 p.m. Oct. 6 and was headed for McClellan Airfield in Sacramento.
“The flight paramedic reported that shortly after takeoff she noticed the power had gone out and the helicopter was autorotating towards U.S. Route 50,” investigators wrote, adding that Davis then issued a mayday call on the company Flight Guard frequency.
Investigators did not detail what caused the loss of power. Flight data reviewed by the NTSB showed the helicopter reached a maximum altitude of 500 feet and descended for the final 11 seconds of its flight before striking the highway.
The report said the helicopter crashed about 1,600 feet north of the medical center in the eastbound lanes, coming to rest on its left side.
“A main rotor blade strike impression was observed on the residential side of the fence that enclosed the highway,” the report said. Investigators also found part of the outer portion of the main rotor blade embedded in the roof of a home’s detached garage near Highway 50.
“Postaccident examination revealed that the helicopter’s fuselage and main rotor blades sustained substantial damage,” the NTSB wrote, adding that the aircraft is being retained for additional examination.
The crash critically injured all three aboard, with Smith ending up trapped underneath the helicopter. Responding firefighters recruited bystanders to help them lift the aircraft so she could be removed.
Smith died of her injuries four days after the crash. Her body was later flown back to Red Bluff and escorted by an honor procession to her home in Palo Cedro.
Flight Nurse Susan “Suzie” Smith’s 50-year career as a nurse included 21 years with REACH Air Medical Services.Courtesy of the Smith Family
REACH Air Medical Services said Smith had a 50-year career as a nurse, including 21 years with the company. A celebration of life will be held Nov. 14 at the Redding Civic Auditorium, starting at 6 p.m.
Millward and Davis have been discharged from the hospital and are in inpatient rehabilitation facilities.
The NTSB’s full preliminary report can be found here:
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