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LODD: Pilot dies after Ala. air ambulance crash

A coroner said he believes the pilot most likely had a heart attack while landing the helicopter

Duty Death: Douglas Davis - [Headland]

End of Service: 25/12/2019

By EMS1 Staff

HEADLAND, Ala. — An air ambulance pilot died Wednesday after his helicopter overturned during landing at an Alabama airport.

A coroner said Survival Flight Pilot Douglas Davis, 61, likely had a heart attack before landing the aircraft at Headland Municipal Airport, according to WTVY. An autopsy will be performed to confirm his cause of death.

Three crewmembers, including Davis, were on board at the time of the crash, returning from a cancelled flight from Florida. No patients were on board, and the other two crewmembers were uninjured, according to a Survival Flight statement.

“Somehow, Doug Davis heroically brought the helicopter completely back to base and nearly landed it normally, the helicopter rolling onto its side at the last second,” the statement said. “We have no doubt that Doug saved the lives of our two crewmembers and perhaps others with his final act.”

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