NTSB Cites Lack of Situational Awareness in Medevac Accident

Bell 407 tail rotor struck a rooftop surveillance camera during a night takeoff in Dallas in May.

Meg Godlewski

Tuesday, October 27, 2026 at 01:30 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

The NTSB’s final report determined that a medical helicopter sustained substantial tail rotor damage during a nighttime hospital departure when the pilot experienced unintended backward drift while attempting to establish radio contact. [Credit: NTSB]

Key Takeaways:

The NTSB identified a lack of situational awareness as the causal factor in a May 13 medevac helicopter crash during a night takeoff from a Dallas rooftop helipad.
The accident occurred when the pilot lifted into a higher hover and turned to improve radio reception, causing the helicopter to drift backward until its tail rotor struck a helipad surveillance camera.
While there were no injuries, the helicopter sustained substantial damage to its tail rotor, with the pilot noting the crash might have been prevented by maintaining a lower hover and visual reference.

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The National Transportation Safety Board has highlighted a lack of situational awareness during a night takeoff from a rooftop helipad as a causal factor in the May 13 crash of a medevac helicopter in Dallas.

The Bell 407, flown by Air Evac Lifeteam, had a crew of three on board when the accident occurred. There were no injuries, but the tail rotor of the helicopter sustained substantial damage.