Helicopter firm honors local pilot

The Daily Inter Lake

Addison Clark, an ALERT helicopter pilot in Kalispell, has received a rare commendation from Bell Helicopter company.

On Nov. 2, Clark was flying Kalispell Regional Medical Center's rescue helicopter - a Bell aircraft - when the engine failed. Clark was able to land the aircraft on the hospital's helipad with no injuries to the crew, although there was substantial damage to the helicopter.

Citations from the helicopter company are rare, according to John Williams, manager of pilot training safety for Bell. In 29 years in that capacity, he has seen very few commendations.

Clark is credited with skillfully putting down the helicopter after the engine failed at about 150 feet in the densely developed area of Buffalo Hill.

"The fact that you and your passengers were all OK is a testimony of your great piloting skills," wrote Launa Barboza, director of customer training for Bell in Fort Worth, Texas.

"It's certainly well-deserved because he did a super job," ALERT Chief Pilot George Taylor said.

The hospital sends its pilots to Bell training in Texas every year for safety updates.

Clark has credited those drills for helping him land the helicopter under potentially disastrous circumstances.

"He's a great pilot," Taylor said of Clark.

Pilots are grounded now at ALERT, though. The helicopter is off for repairs and it could be four months before it returns, Taylor said.

A leased helicopter is to arrive any day, but it needs some engine work before ALERT can put it into service.