![An ambulance helicopter crashed on October 6 near Sacramento, California, after losing power for an unknown reason, according to the NTSB’s preliminary report. [Credit: California Department of Transportation District 8]](https://flyingmag1.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/reach-helicopter-crash-sacramento-scaled-1.jpg?width=1920&height=1440)
An uncommanded loss of power was reported just before an Airbus medical helicopter crashed near Sacramento, California, in October.
According to the preliminary report released this week by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), at approximately 7:09 p.m. PT on October 6, the ambulance helicopter lifted off from UC Davis Medical Center Tower II Heliport (3CLO), heading to Sacramento McClellan Airport (KMCC), approximately 25 miles away. The weather was VFR at the time.
According to the NTSB report, the flight paramedic on board noted shortly after takeoff the power had “gone out and the helicopter was autorotating toward U.S. Route 50.” The paramedic made a mayday call on the company Flight Guard frequency. The aircraft was approximately 1,600 feet north of its departure point.
An NTSB review of the ADS-B data shows that the helicopter, operated by Reach Air Medical Services, took off and climbed to a maximum altitude of about 500 feet msl then moments later entered a descent that lasted approximately 11 seconds.
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The helicopter landed hard and came to rest on its left side in the eastbound lanes of U.S. Route 50. No motorists were injured.
Local media reports showed video of motorists helping to lift the helicopter so that the flight nurse, who was critically injured and trapped inside the wreckage, could be rescued. She died from her injuries four days after the crash.
The Wreckage
The aircraft experienced substantial damage. Investigators recovered a section of the outer portion of the main rotor blade that had become embedded in the roof of a detached garage on a residential home next to the highway.
In addition, a main rotor blade strike impression was observed on the residential side of the fence that enclosed the highway. The wreckage has been recovered and retained for further examination.
The final NSTB report is likely 18 to 24 months away.
