Erie, PA Lifestar medevac helicopter missing

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Specializes in Rotor EMS, Ped's ICU, CT-ICU,.

An Erie, PA Lifestar medevac helicopter went missing at around 11:40 pm Friday night. Only the pilot was on board. The pilot was enroute from Kane Community Hospital to Bradford airport to refuel and had just called final to the airport before he disappeared. Search efforts are concentrating on the area around Bradford airport. News articles are found by clicking on the "news" link in 'google' and typing in 'Erie lifestar.'

I don't know why the medical crew wasn't on board, but I am believing that the pilot had dropped them off at Kane Community Hospital and was going to Bradford to obtain fuel for the return transport to Erie. The program is IFR, but the weather and visibility was pretty bad all across Pennsylvania that night. Also, other civilian aircraft have crashed in the woods within miles of the Bradford airport and have taken days to locate.

Wishing for the best.

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An Erie, PA Lifestar medevac helicopter went missing at around 11:40 pm Friday night. Only the pilot was on board. The pilot was enroute from Kane Community Hospital to Bradford airport to refuel and had just called final to the airport before he disappeared. Search efforts are concentrating on the area around Bradford airport. News articles are found by clicking on the "news" link in 'google' and typing in 'Erie lifestar.'

I don't know why the medical crew wasn't on board, but I am believing that the pilot had dropped them off at Kane Community Hospital and was going to Bradford to obtain fuel for the return transport to Erie. The program is IFR, but the weather and visibility was pretty bad all across Pennsylvania that night. Also, other civilian aircraft have crashed in the woods within miles of the Bradford airport and have taken days to locate.

Wishing for the best.

I will be praying for the best. How horrible.

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Specializes in ER.

I am saying some prayers...last night was bad all over, with all the storms in the area, I can't imagine IFR was much better, but if he had just called in final, he probably had already started his approach and maybe lost his bearings coming through the clouds. Our pilots will sometimes leave us at the hospital and go and refuel while we are handing over care of the patient. Depends where we are, how busy we have been and how far out we are from our base. Sad thing...you just never know...

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Specializes in ER.

Helicopter and dead pilot found approx 5 miles out from the airport..

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