![]()
?(Images from FlightAware)The NTSB released the preliminary report on Tuesday on the medical helicopter that crashed near Lebanon, Tennessee.
On Nov. 8, 2025, an Airbus Helicopters EC 130 T2, callsign "LifeFlight1" (LF1), operated by Air Methods departed from the Vanderbilt University Medical Center's (VUMC) critical care air medical transport service base in Gallatin, Tennessee. Air Methods employed the pilot and the flight paramedic and flight nurse were employed by VUMC. The crew was responding to a launch request from Rutherford County but were informed shortly after takeoff that the request had been canceled and made a turn back toward Gallatin. The operator's communications center then received a radio call from LF1.
"Aircom…LF1…we have a medical emergency onboard with our pilot…uh we're gonna…we will advise."
No further transmissions were received during the flight. The flight paramedic reported that after turning around, the pilot was making no noticeable movement and would not respond when spoken to. He described the pilot's expression as a complete blank stare with no emotion. After noticing that they were high, the paramedic attempted to get the pilot's attention several more times and noticed he was trying to make an input into the GPS or possibly the autopilot, but couldn't put his finger on the button. The flight paramedic then took off his restraints and leaned forward to see what the autopilot was doing. He did not see that the autopilot was engaged, and he realized that he needed to slow the helicopter down.
RELATED STORIES:
Pilot who crashed into Idaho street charged for flying under the influence
NTSB states cracked part in crashed UPS Douglas MD-11 was identified in 2011
NTSB issues recommendations for training and stall tests on Hawker aircraft
The flight paramedic grabbed the control stick over the pilot's hands and made one large input and multiple small inputs in an attempt to slow down. He also tapped down on the collective control because he knew that would slow them down. The pilot did not resist any of the movement. While attempting to land the helicopter, the pilot was able to briefly point out a better field to land in. The aircraft struck the top of a tree line while approaching the field and impacted the ground. The flight nurse was killed and the pilot and paramedic were seriously injured.
The preliminary states that the pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate and a flight instructor certificate for rotorcraft-helicopter with 4,500 total hours of flight experience. His most-recent second-class medical certificate was issued by the FAA on May 17, 2025, for the use of corrective lenses.