Monday, March 16, 2015

Trial date continued in federal suit involving helicopter crash: Bell 407, Med-Trans Corporation, N445MT, fatal accident occurred January 02, 2013 in Clear Lake, Iowa

VENTURA | A trial date in a federal lawsuit involving the January 2013 crash of a Mercy Air Med helicopter has been pushed back to next year. 

The crash killed nurse Shelly Lair-Langenbau, paramedic Russ Piehl and pilot Gene Grell. They were on their way to pick up a patient in Emmetsburg when the helicopter crashed into a farm field in Ventura.

Lair-Langenbau's husband, Jay, two minor children and her parents, Gerald and Karen Lair, filed a civil lawsuit in Cerro Gordo County District Court in July 2013. It was moved to federal court in August 2013.

The trial was scheduled for Nov. 9. It has now be set for June 6, 2016, at the U.S. Courthouse in Sioux City.

The National Transportation Safety Board has ruled icing as the probable cause of the crash.

The NTSB report said witnesses and first responders reported mist, drizzle and icy road conditions at the time of the accident.

The family alleges negligence on the part of Med-Trans Corp. and pilot Grell for taking off in icy conditions.

Original article can be found at:  http://globegazette.com

NTSB Identification: CEN13FA122
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Wednesday, January 02, 2013 in Clear Lake, IA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 02/12/2015
Aircraft: BELL HELICOPTER 407, registration: N445MT
Injuries: 3 Fatal.

NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

GPS tracking data revealed that, after departure, the helicopter proceeded westbound about 600 ft above ground level (agl), following a roadway. About 6 minutes after liftoff, when the helicopter was about 3/4 mile south of the accident site, it turned right and became established on a northerly course. The helicopter subsequently turned left and appeared to be on a southerly heading at the final data point. Shortly before beginning the left turn, the helicopter entered a climb, reached an altitude of about 1,800 ft agl, and then entered a descent that continued until impact. Weather observations from the nearest Automated Surface Observing System, located about 7 miles east of the accident site, indicated that the ceilings and visibility appeared to be adequate for nighttime helicopter operations and did not detect any freezing precipitation. Although an airmen’s meteorological information advisory for icing conditions was current for the route of flight, and several pilot reports of icing conditions had been filed, none of the reports were in the immediate vicinity of the intended route of flight. Witnesses and first responders reported mist, drizzle, and icy road conditions at the time of the accident. It is likely that the pilot inadvertently encountered localized icing conditions, which resulted in his subsequent in-flight loss of helicopter control. A postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed no preimpact failures or malfunctions. The engine control unit recorded engine torque, engine overspeed, and rotor overspeed events; however, due to their timing and nature, the events were likely a result of damage that occurred during the impact sequence. Evidence also indicated that the cyclic centering, engine overspeed, and hydraulic system warning lights illuminated; it is also likely that their illumination was associated with the impact sequence. Further, the engine anti-ice status light was illuminated, which was consistent with the activation of the anti-ice system at some point during the accident flight.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot’s inadvertent encounter with localized icing conditions and his subsequent in-flight loss of helicopter control.

http://www.ntsb.gov

http://registry.faa.gov/N445MT

http://www.med-trans.net/aircraft


 




Gene Grell



 Shelly Lair-Langenbau



Russ Piehl











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