The Associated Press
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — A federal report says the pilots are to blame for a midair collision of two medical helicopters that killed 7 people last year near a northern Arizona hospital.
The National Transportation Safety Board report released Friday says the pilots failed to see and avoid each other, a primary pilot responsibility.
The report says one pilot failed to contact the hospital’'s communications center, as required, and the other pilot decided to approach from the south instead of along the normal flight path from the east.
The helicopters were approaching Flagstaff Medical Center on June 30, each carrying a patient. They collided about a half-mile from the hospital and crashed into a forested area. All seven aboard the two aircraft died.
Copyright The Associated Press 2009