By: The Barnes Firm - May 18, 2022
Elba, NY – The National Transportation Safety Board has released its preliminary findings following the Mercy Flight helicopter crash that occurred Tuesday, April 26, 2022. The crash killed Mercy Flight Pilot James Sauer, 60, and Bell Helicopter flight instructor/pilot Stewart M. Dietrick, 60.
The report revealed the helicopter had been out for an earlier flight the same day. The crash took place on the second flight. The report states a section of the tail book and tail rotor shaft may have encountered the helicopter’s main rotor blade. This is consistent with the FAA report released on April 26, 2022, about ongoing problems with the tail rotor of the 429 model of the Bell Helicopter. The report also stated the NTSB found fractures in the helicopter’s steering system consistent with overload. The official cause of the crash is expected to be released in Spring 2023.
The full preliminary report is available here
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