Crashed Wisconsin Medical Helicopter Was Lacking Recommended Safety Features

By Aaron Poehler

Published on May 13, 2008

Three people died in the crash, including pilot Steve Lipperer, 39; surgeon Darren Bean, 37; and nurse Mark Coyne, 53; all of Madison, Wisconsin. There were no survivors. Witnesses said the helicopter apparently struck a hill or trees shortly after lifting off from the La Crosse airport, where the copter had stopped to refuel before its return flight to Madison. Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board investigations into the crash are currently underway.

The American Eurocopter EC-13 twin-engine helicopter owned by Denver-based Air Methods Corp. and leased to University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics in Madison for its Med Flight program featured satellite tracking, but was not equipped with pilot night vision goggles or a Terrain Awareness and Warning System to warn of approaching obstacles. While there are no known reported mechanical problems with this particular model of aircraft, the NTSB suggested in a 2006 report that many deadly EMS flights could be prevented with use of night vision goggles and a computerized warning system. Though neither technology is required, an Air Methods spokesman stated that about 40 percent of its 348 helicopters have night vision goggles and 6 percent have Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems.