On Saturday night, January 20, 2024, an Air Evac Lifeteam helicopter crashed near Hydro, Oklahoma, resulting in the loss of all three crew members. 

The crash occurred as the medical team returned to their home base in Weatherford, about 70 miles west of Oklahoma City, following a patient transport mission to Mercy Hospital in the state’s capital city.

The incident was first reported after the Air Evac Lifeteam Operations Control Center lost contact with the Bell 206L3 helicopter around 11:25 p.m. 

Search efforts involving law enforcement and other Air Evac Lifeteam personnel were initiated, leading to the discovery of the crash site. The three crew members aboard were located and confirmed dead at the scene. The names of the victims have not yet been released to the public.

Air Evac Lifeteam, operating out of O’Fallon, Missouri, is a prominent emergency medical services (EMS) and air ambulance provider, operating helicopters from over 140 bases across 15 states, almost all in the central and southern regions of the United States. Each team is comprised of a pilot, a flight nurse, and a flight paramedic.

In a statement released via social media, Air Evac Lifeteam expressed its profound sorrow over the loss of its team members and emphasized its focus on supporting the families and other staff members during this difficult time. 

They have deployed Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) teams to assist their staff in coping with the tragedy.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched a comprehensive investigation into the crash of the helicopter identified with the call sign N295AE. 

The NTSB’s inquiry will seek to uncover the circumstances and factors leading to this tragic event. A preliminary analysis of the accident will not be ready for a minimum of one month, and the complete investigation could span from 12 to 48 months.