Arizona LifeNet Air Ambulance Helicopter Crash Kills Three

TUCSON – A LifeNet air ambulance helicopter operated by Air Methods Corporation crashed near Park & Glenn Avenue Wednesday afternoon. Three crew members on board the helicopter died as a result of injuries sustained when it crashed into a yard in midtown Tucson at 1:40 p.m. Air Methods Corporation says the EuroCopter AS350 was based in Douglas.

The pilot has been identified as 61-year-old Alexander Kelley. Kelley was an experienced pilot, and had been with Air Methods since 2002. The paramedic has been identified as 28-year-old Brenda French, and the flight nurse as 41-year-old Parker Summons.  They were en route from Marana to Douglas. No patients were on board at the time of the crash.

An eyewitness said that the helicopter’s engine stalled then, started back up again.  According to the witness, “When it started back up he turned it to the other side, tried to get it back up but it just slammed down.”

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the accident.  Company officials are en route to the area.

In a statement, Aaron Todd, the CEO of Air Methods Corporation said, “This is a sad day for all of us at Air Methods and we extend our heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of our employees who perished while on duty.”