NTSB: Pilot Disorientation Likely Cause of 2013 Air Ambulance Crash
Sept. 25--The fatal crash of an air ambulance in Manchester, Ky., in June 2013 probably happened because the pilot became disoriented after encountering conditions that would have required flying by instruments, rather than by sight, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.
The crash killed pilot Eddy Sizemore, 61, a former Laurel County sheriff's deputy; flight paramedic Herman "Lee" Dobbs, 40, of London; and flight nurse Jesse Jones, 28, of Pineville.
The crew had taken a patient to a hospital in London and were returning to their base in Manchester when the helicopter crashed in a school parking lot 750 feet from the helipad.
NTSB investigators said visual-flight conditions were anticipated at the time of the crash, but witnesses on the ground said patchy fog had developed.
It's likely that Sizemore hit instrument weather conditions, became disoriented and lost control, the NTSB report said.
One witness reported seeing the helicopter flying with its nose pointed at the ground just before the crash, the report said.
The NTSB posted its probable-cause finding on the accident this week.
Bill Estep: (606) 678-4655. Twitter: @billestep1.
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