Picture credits: UMMC
Mississippi: A medical transport helicopter crashed in a wooded area near Jackson, Mississippi, on Monday, killing all three people on board. The Eurocopter EC-135 was operated by the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s (UMMC) AirCare program and was returning to Columbus after transporting a patient.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the crash occurred at approximately 1:15 p.m. near the Natchez Trace Parkway and Highway 43. The pilot and two hospital workers were confirmed dead at the scene. Their identities have not been released to respect the families’ privacy.
Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs at UMMC, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy. “This is an unimaginable loss for our AirCare team, which has served Mississippi for nearly three decades without a fatal accident,” she said at a press conference
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves acknowledged the sacrifices made by emergency responders. “It’s a tragic reminder of the risks Mississippi’s first responders take every day to keep us safe. Our state will never forget the sacrifice of these heroes,” Reeves stated in a message shared on social media.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. The NTSB will lead the inquiry, with preliminary findings expected in the coming weeks.
This marks the first fatal accident in the 29-year history of UMMC’s AirCare program. Authorities have urged the public to avoid the crash site while the investigation is ongoing.
Pennsylvania Plane Crash Investigated After Five Survive Impact
On Sunday, March 9, a single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza aircraft crashed into the parking lot of the Brethren Village Retirement Community in Manheim Township, Pennsylvania. The plane, registered as N347M, had departed from Lancaster Airport at 3:15 p.m. but went down shortly after takeoff.
All five passengers, including pilot Matt White and his family members, survived, though three suffered burns and were transported to a specialized burn center. The crash ignited a fire, damaging over a dozen vehicles but sparing nearby buildings. No retirement community residents or staff were injured.
Preliminary reports suggest the pilot experienced an issue with an open door and struggled with communication due to wind noise before the crash. The FAA and NTSB are investigating the incident, with a preliminary report expected in the coming weeks.
This crash adds to a growing list of aviation incidents in the region, including a deadly jet crash in January and a helicopter-plane collision in February, prompting increased concerns about flight safety.
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