May 10, 2008 - Madison, WI
A Med Flight helicopter was from the UW Hospital crashed outside La Crosse. It had dropped off its and was returning when the accident occurred.
Pilot error as well as "the lack of a helicopter terrain awareness and warning system" were cited as the causes, according to a report issued the National
Transportation Safety Board. The NTSB reports the causes of the crash were likely due to "the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees along the top
of the ridgeline due to inadequate preflight planning (and) insufficient altitude." The report also cited the fact that the helicopter didn't have the terrain
awareness and warning equipment. The report states that a radar altimeter was installed on the helicopter and set at 500 feet. Officials said that they believe
the pilot might have been deliberately flying below 500 feet to avoid clouds. The NTSB officials said that they believe an awareness and warning system in the
aircraft would have alerted the pilot to the approaching ridgeline before the crash.
Three University of Wisconsin Hospital Employees died in the crash:
Steven H. Lipperer (39) - Pilot
Darren Bruce Bean (37) - Emergency Room Physician - Madison Fire Station #12 was renamed to honor Dr. Darren Bean
Mark W. Coyne (53) - Nurse
