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Report: Medical Helicopter Made ‘Sharp Left Turn’ Before Vinton County Crash
By: Associated Press
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – A preliminary report says an Ohio medical helicopter that crashed killing three people last month made “a sharp left turn” before tracking software indicated a problem.
A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board said the Survival Flight helicopter made a turn to the right about 15 minutes after takeoff Jan. 29, followed by the left turn.
The report released Monday said a “no-tracking alarm” activated after the left turn. The report said the debris path in woods in rural southern Ohio stretched about 600 feet downslope.
The crash killed pilot Jennifer Topper and nurses Bradley Haynes and Rachel Cunningham.
Two other air-medical companies opted not to accept the assignment over concerns about the weather that day.
Messages were left with Survival Flight seeking comment.