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Paramedic Takes Controls in Mid-Air Medical Emergency
22 Jan
Summary
- Paramedic briefly piloted helicopter during pilot's medical emergency.
- One flight nurse died, two others seriously injured in the crash.
- NTSB report found no pre-impact mechanical issues with the aircraft.
A National Transportation Safety Board preliminary report details a November 8, 2025, helicopter crash near Lebanon, Tennessee, which claimed one life and seriously injured two others. The aircraft, operated by Air Methods LLC for Vanderbilt University Medical Center's LifeFlight services, experienced a pilot medical emergency shortly after departure.
The flight paramedic, Andrew Sikes, took control of the helicopter when the pilot became unresponsive. Sikes, who had no prior in-flight experience with the controls, attempted to stabilize the aircraft and maneuver it towards a field.
During the descent, the helicopter struck treetops before impacting the ground and rolling onto its side. Flight nurse Allan Williams was fatally injured, while Sikes and the pilot sustained serious injuries. The NTSB found no evidence of pre-impact mechanical malfunctions.
