By EMS1 Staff
ELKO, Nev. — The National Transportation Safety Board announced Thursday that the air ambulance that crashed and killed four people lost power shortly after takeoff.
The Nov. 18 crash killed the pilot, paramedic, nurse and patient that were onboard. The NTSB reported the plane made an abrupt left turn after making its initial takeoff climb, and suddenly stopped climbing. An eyewitness said he saw the plane make a left bank before crashing into a parking lot and catching fire, reported the Review Journal.
The NTSB reported that compressed medical gas bottles contributed to several fiery explosions after the initial crash. The board also reported that weather did not play a role in the crash, stating there were clear conditions with visibility up to 10 miles.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation and details regarding the plane’s engine and airframe are pending.