ALERT 'copter crashes at helipad
The Daily Inter Lake
The ALERT air ambulance crashed at the Kalispell Regional Medical Center helipad shortly after takeoff Thursday around 9 p.m. No one was injured.
ALERT chief paramedic Chuck Curry, who was on the flight, said a helicopter warning light went off just after takeoff in a snowstorm around 8:55 p.m., and the crew returned immediately to the helipad next to Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Curry said the engine died on the return flight near the water tower on Buffalo Hill, only about 300 yards from the pad and about 350 feet in the air.
As it landed, without power, the helicopter struck a parked vehicle next to the helipad, clipping the vehicle's side mirror. The helicopter also tore out about 50 feet of chainlink fence before skidding about 40 feet to a stop just at the edge of the pad.
Sparks could be seen coming out of the top rear of the helicopter as it returned to the helipad.
The Federal Aviation Administration will investigate the crash, according to hospital administrator Jim Oliverson.
He and Curry praised the skill of pilot Addison Clark who made a hard landing, but kept the plane upright.
"What an incredible job" Clark did, Oliverson said.
The helicopter's protocol is to land immediately if a panel indicator light goes off as it did Thursday night.
"The protocol is, don't think about it. Set it down," Oliverson said.
Clark, Curry and nurse Megan Hamilton were the only people on board.
Kalispell Fire Department was dispatched to the crash. Captain Dave Dedman said a small fire was extinguished before the crew arrived.
"The pilot did an awesome job," Dedman said.
Oliverson said FAA officials should arrive this morning. The hospital will contact flight programs in Missoula, Great Falls, and Spokane to cover for the ALERT helicopter while it is being repaired.
The flight program has a nearly spotless record for accidents.
The crew struck a tree on a flight in July 2001. Then, pilot George Taylor was also able to return the craft safely.
Thursday night, Oliverson said everyone was relieved that the helicopter landed safely.
"We're all very sad, but appreciative," he said.