Officials identify crewmembers killed in Ky. medical helicopter crash

By Bill Carey
EMS1

OWENTON, Ky. — Authorities have identified the crewmembers killed in a medical helicopter crash in Owen County on Oct. 7.

The Kentucky State Police told WLWT that those killed in the Air Evac Lifeteam 133 crash were Gale Alleman, Bethany Aicken and James Welsh.

“Air Evac Lifeteam is heartbroken to share that three crew members from AEL base 133 perished in a helicopter accident in Owenton, Kentucky today,” the company said in a statement Monday night.

An Air Evac Lifeteam social media post stated the helicopter crew, based in Grant County, was traveling to pick up a patient when the crash occurred.

The NTSB released a statement saying a preliminary report is expected within 30 days of the crash. An investigator will arrive at the scene on Tuesday.

“Once on scene, the investigator will begin documenting the scene and examining the aircraft. Part of the investigation will be to request radar data, weather information, maintenance records and the pilot’s medical records,” the statement said in part. “NTSB investigators will look at the human, machine and environment as the outline of the investigation.”

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