2006 Eagle III helicopter accident
Encyclopedia
The 2006 Eagle III helicopter accident occurred at GRBC Rescue Heliport in Green Bay, Wisconsin
on April 13, 2006, during a post-maintenance flight of a MBB Bo 105 air ambulance
helicopter
operated by Eagle III
.
This crash claimed the life of James Vincent Jr, the sole occupant and an experienced pilot flying with Eagle III since 2004. This was the first accident for County Rescue's air ambulance service, which took delivery of its first helicopter in May 1998, and was also believed to be the first among the 12 or so air ambulance services operating in the state of Wisconsin
.
, the cause of the crash is still under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration
and National Transportation Safety Board
, but is believed to be caused by a mechanical failure of the tail rotor.
This aircraft's role included accident scene flights and transport of critically ill or injured patients to facilities with specialized or greater levels of care. The aircraft also provided standby air ambulance capabilities to Road America
in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
during various auto racing
events. N202LF was a 1987 Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm
BO 105LS A-3 that was converted into an emergency medical service helicopter. It was owned by a Utah bank and leased by County Rescue. The helicopter's airframe had logged about 4,800 hours, and was last inspected on March 22.
. Shortly after take off, Pilot James "Jimmer" Vincent Jr., 46, of Menominee, Michigan
, radioed County Rescue Services Headquarters with a distress call indicating he was having a problem.
The helicopter's sound was abnormal, which caused witnesses to take notice,
including a few dozen children and their caretakers at the Bellevue Children's World Learning Center across the street.
It was observed by several witnesses spinning out of control, and then flying into the wind, and away from County Rescue Services Allouez Avenue Headquarters, and Eagle III's hangar. It is not known if Pilot James Vincent Jr intentionally flew the aircraft away from the buildings, which were both occupied, but George Miller, director of flight operations at EAGLE III believes he did.
Witness state that the helicopter, now being flown to the southeast and approximately 200 ft off the ground, became quieter, and then fell from the sky approximately 200 yards (180 meters) from the helipad it took off from.
Rescue personnel who worked closely with the victim were on scene within seconds of the crash. They transported the pilot to St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay using one of the Mobile Intensive Care Ambulances they had based at their Headquarters, less than 100 yards (90 meters) away from the crash site. The pilot was pronounced dead at the hospital shortly after arriving there.
The autopsy
on the pilot did not show any medical condition or illness involved in the accident.
The pilot "died of trauma sustained in the crash," Brown County Interim Medical Examiner
Al Klimek said.
Approximately 400 law enforcement, firefighting and paramedical personnel attended services for the pilot a week after his death.
One year later, a memorial fund had collected and turned over US$19,800 to the pilot's family.
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Green Bay is a city in and the county seat of Brown County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, located at the head of Green Bay, a sub-basin of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the Fox River. It has an elevation of above sea level and is located north of Milwaukee. As of the 2010 United States Census,...
on April 13, 2006, during a post-maintenance flight of a MBB Bo 105 air ambulance
Air ambulance
An air ambulance is an aircraft used for emergency medical assistance in situations where either a traditional ambulance cannot reach the scene easily or quickly enough, or the patient needs to be transported over a distance or terrain that makes air transportation the most practical transport....
helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
operated by Eagle III
Eagle III
Eagle III is an emergency air and ground transportation program operated by County Rescue Services, in partnership with Bellin Hospital, and St. Vincient Hospital, all in Green Bay, Wisconsin...
.
This crash claimed the life of James Vincent Jr, the sole occupant and an experienced pilot flying with Eagle III since 2004. This was the first accident for County Rescue's air ambulance service, which took delivery of its first helicopter in May 1998, and was also believed to be the first among the 12 or so air ambulance services operating in the state of Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
.
, the cause of the crash is still under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration
Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration is the national aviation authority of the United States. An agency of the United States Department of Transportation, it has authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S...
and National Transportation Safety Board
National Transportation Safety Board
The National Transportation Safety Board is an independent U.S. government investigative agency responsible for civil transportation accident investigation. In this role, the NTSB investigates and reports on aviation accidents and incidents, certain types of highway crashes, ship and marine...
, but is believed to be caused by a mechanical failure of the tail rotor.
Aircraft background
The primary mission for the accident aircraft, N202LF, was as a backup helicopter for emergency air ambulance use, operated by County Rescue Services of Green Bay, Wisconsin, in partnership with Bellin Hospital, and St. Vincent Hospital. The Eagle III rescue helicopter service performed an average of 400 transports a year with their two helicopters.This aircraft's role included accident scene flights and transport of critically ill or injured patients to facilities with specialized or greater levels of care. The aircraft also provided standby air ambulance capabilities to Road America
Road America
Road America is a road course located near Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin on Wisconsin Highway 67. It has hosted races since the 1950s and currently hosts races in the NASCAR Nationwide Series , American Le Mans , SCCA Speed World Challenge Series, ASRA, and AMA Superbike series.- Current track and...
in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
Elkhart Lake is a village in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, United States, located within the northwestern part of the county within the Town of Rhine. The population was 1,021 at the 2000 census. It is included in the Sheboygan, Wisconsin Metropolitan Statistical Area...
during various auto racing
Auto racing
Auto racing is a motorsport involving the racing of cars for competition. It is one of the world's most watched televised sports.-The beginning of racing:...
events. N202LF was a 1987 Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm
Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm
Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm was a German aerospace company formed as the result of several mergers in the late 1960s. Among its best-known products was the MBB Bo 105 light twin helicopter...
BO 105LS A-3 that was converted into an emergency medical service helicopter. It was owned by a Utah bank and leased by County Rescue. The helicopter's airframe had logged about 4,800 hours, and was last inspected on March 22.
Details of crash
The accident aircraft lifted off from County Rescue Services helipad at approximately 10:30 am local time on April 13, 2006, for a routine maintenance flight under visual meteorological conditionsVisual meteorological conditions
In aviation, visual meteorological conditions is an aviation flight category in which visual flight rules flight is permitted—that is, conditions in which pilots have sufficient visibility to fly the aircraft maintaining visual separation from terrain and other aircraft. They are the opposite of...
. Shortly after take off, Pilot James "Jimmer" Vincent Jr., 46, of Menominee, Michigan
Menominee, Michigan
Menominee is a city in the Upper Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 9,131. It is the county seat of Menominee County. Menominee is the fourth-largest city in the Upper Peninsula, behind Marquette, Sault Ste. Marie, and Escanaba...
, radioed County Rescue Services Headquarters with a distress call indicating he was having a problem.
The helicopter's sound was abnormal, which caused witnesses to take notice,
including a few dozen children and their caretakers at the Bellevue Children's World Learning Center across the street.
It was observed by several witnesses spinning out of control, and then flying into the wind, and away from County Rescue Services Allouez Avenue Headquarters, and Eagle III's hangar. It is not known if Pilot James Vincent Jr intentionally flew the aircraft away from the buildings, which were both occupied, but George Miller, director of flight operations at EAGLE III believes he did.
Witness state that the helicopter, now being flown to the southeast and approximately 200 ft off the ground, became quieter, and then fell from the sky approximately 200 yards (180 meters) from the helipad it took off from.
Rescue personnel who worked closely with the victim were on scene within seconds of the crash. They transported the pilot to St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay using one of the Mobile Intensive Care Ambulances they had based at their Headquarters, less than 100 yards (90 meters) away from the crash site. The pilot was pronounced dead at the hospital shortly after arriving there.
The autopsy
Autopsy
An autopsy—also known as a post-mortem examination, necropsy , autopsia cadaverum, or obduction—is a highly specialized surgical procedure that consists of a thorough examination of a corpse to determine the cause and manner of death and to evaluate any disease or injury that may be present...
on the pilot did not show any medical condition or illness involved in the accident.
The pilot "died of trauma sustained in the crash," Brown County Interim Medical Examiner
Coroner
A coroner is a government official who* Investigates human deaths* Determines cause of death* Issues death certificates* Maintains death records* Responds to deaths in mass disasters* Identifies unknown dead* Other functions depending on local laws...
Al Klimek said.
Community Involvement
The Brown County Sheriff’s Department and Bellevue Fire Department also responded to the scene and arrived within minutes of the crash. The City of Green Bay Police Department also provided assistance by securing safe and expedited travel for the ambulance through the crowded streets of the City of Green Bay.Approximately 400 law enforcement, firefighting and paramedical personnel attended services for the pilot a week after his death.
One year later, a memorial fund had collected and turned over US$19,800 to the pilot's family.
External links
- Remembering Jim Eagle III accident memorial page with photos
- Green Bay Press-Gazette accident photo gallery
- EAGLE III Pilot killed during test flight in backup Bo-105 at Alec Bucks EMS Helicopters
- Eagle III helicopter crash news summary