http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stori ... ily13.htmlAir Methods asks NTSB to change crash report
Denver Business Journal
Air Methods Corp. wants the National Transportation Safety Board to reconsider its findings in a fatal crash involving two medical helicopters in Arizona last year.
Englewood-based Air Methods (NASDAQ: AIRM) on Monday announced it filed a petition with the NTSB, asking the agency to reconsider or change its probable cause finding in the June 29, 2008, accident.
The two helicopters — both Bell 407s — collided in the air while attempting to land at Flagstaff Medical Center. Six people were killed instantly; a seventh later died of his injuries.
Killed aboard the Air Methods helicopter were the pilot, flight nurse and patient.
The other flight was operated by Classic Helicopters of Woods Cross, Utah. The pilot, paramedic and patient were killed, and the flight nurse critically injured. The nurse later died.
The NTSB report said “both pilots failed to see and avoid the other helicopter on approach to the helipad.”
Air Methods wants the NTSB to delete from its report the finding that a contributing cause of the accident was “the failure of Air Methods’ pilot to follow arrival and noise abatement guidelines.”
Air Methods also wants added to the report mention that the pilot of the Classic helicopter had taken a prescription painkiller, and that the Classic communications center failed to tell its pilot that an Air Methods flight was inbound to the hospital with the same estimated arrival time as the Classic copter.
The NTSB told The Associated Press Monday it wouldn’t comment on Air Methods’ petition.
“We are deeply troubled by what we consider to be critical inaccuracies in the NTSB current Probable Cause Report and the inconsistencies between the findings in this case versus previous cases,” Aaron Todd, CEO of Air Methods, said in a statement.
Air Methods asks NTSB to change crash report
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Air Methods asks NTSB to change crash report
Doesn't the NTSB have a system whereby the draft report is vetted by "interested parties" prior to finalizing?
Former Advocate for Floatplane Safety
