A helicopter operated by Air Evac Lifeteam crashed near Hydro, Oklahoma, on the night of January 20, 2024, resulting in the fatalities of all three crew members.
The calamity unfolded as the crew was returning to their base in Weatherford, nearly 70 miles west of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They had just completed a patient transport mission to Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City.
The Air Evac Lifeteam Operations Control Center reported the incident after losing contact with the Bell 206L3 helicopter at approximately 11:25 p.m.
Following the loss of contact, search efforts began involving law enforcement agencies and other Air Evac Lifeteam staff. The crash site was eventually found and all three crew members were confirmed dead at the scene. Lost in the crash were former US Army special operations pilot Russell Haslam, paramedic Steven Fitzgerald, and nurse Adam Tebben.
Air Evac Lifeteam, headquartered in O’Fallon, Missouri, is a major provider of air ambulance and emergency medical services (EMS). The company operates helicopters from over 140 bases across 15 states, predominantly in the central and southern United States. Each team consists of a pilot, a flight nurse, and a flight paramedic.
In a statement shared on social media, Air Evac Lifeteam expressed deep sorrow over the loss of its crew members. They also stressed their commitment to providing support to the bereaved families and their staff during this challenging period. The company has deployed Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) teams to help their staff cope with the tragedy.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has started a thorough investigation into the crash involving the helicopter with the call sign N295AE.
The NTSB’s investigation will attempt to establish the circumstances and contributing factors of this tragic event. A preliminary report is not expected for at least a month, and the full investigation could span between 12 to 48 months.