A dead goose was found inside the flight control system of a medical helicopter that crashed in Oklahoma, killing three people.
Officials said the goose was found “embedded in its flight control servos.” Preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board.
It also noted that “several geese were found in the debris field” and feather samples were taken for identification.
“An investigation by the U.S. Air Force Avian Hazard Advisory System found that it was ‘unlikely’ that there was avian activity near the crash site,” the statement said, without saying whether geese were the cause of the crash.
The NTSB said a probable cause report could take up to two years to complete.
The helicopter crashed on January 20, killing the pilot, flight nurse, and flight paramedic, according to the NTSB.
The crew dropped off a patient at the Mercy Health Center helipad in Oklahoma City and was returning to its base in Weatherford when it crashed.
A search for the helicopter began around 11:30 p.m. after the helicopter’s GPS system became inoperable. The aircraft was found in an open meadow in Hydro.
“All major components of the helicopter were at the accident scene,” the report said.
The main parts of the wreckage included the fuselage, engine, and tail rotor, but the transmission was separated from the wreckage.
A motor blade was also found in an adjacent field and a mast nut was found in a debris field.
Comes with post wire.
