— Cover photo: A medical helicopter crashes in Oneida County, killing three people.
HAZELHURST, Wis. (WBAY) – Federal investigators released their preliminary report on the deadly medical helicopter crash in Oneida County
The crash near Hazelhurst last month killed the pilot and both crew members: 34-year-old Rico Caruso, pilot; 43-year-old Greg Rosenthal, flight paramedic; and 30-year-old Klint Mitchell, flight nurse. No patients were aboard.
The National Transportation Safety Board reports the helicopter’s GPS signal disappeared at 11 p.m. on April 26. The wreckage was found 12 miles south of the hospital a few hours later, at about 2:15 a.m., in a wooded area among broken tree trunks and branches.
The engine of the Ascension Health Spirit was found separated from the fuselage. The compression blades of the turboshaft engine had nicks and gouges consistent with sucking in a foreign object, and the turbine blades, which are in the center of the engine, had silver-colored deposits.
Investigators believe the engine was working up until impact. They didn’t find indications of a fire.
The helicopter had a recorder and its memory card was intact.
The report notes weather conditions were clear during the helicopter’s flight, with 10-mile visibility.
The helicopter had regular 100- and 600-hour inspections the day before the crash.
The preliminary report reiterates the early-known facts and observations but doesn’t identify or speculate on the cause of the crash. The final report could take up to two years to complete.
The hospital started a memorial fund for their families. Click here to donate online or mail donations to:
Howard Young FoundationPO Box 470
Woodruff, WI 54568-0470
Make checks payable to “Howard Young Foundation – Spirit.”
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