Dead Goose Found Inside Medical Helicopter After Crash That Killed 3: NTSB Report

Multiple dead geese was found in and around themedical helicopter that crashed in Oklahomalast month, according to officials.

The crew was returning to its home base, Air Evac 112 Heliport in Weatherford, just before 11:30 p.m. local time when the aircraft crashed in an open pasture more than a mile east of Hydro.

The helicopter “was substantially damaged” in the crash, according to the NTSB. Air Evac Lifeteam previouslyidentified the fatally-injured victimsas pilot Russell Haslam, flight nurse Adam Tebben and medic Steven FitzGerald.

The “carcasses of several geese” were found near the crash site, as well. The NTSB said multiple carcasses were found throughout the debris field, including one that was “embedded in a flight control servo.”

The U.S. Air Force’s Avian Hazard Advisory System said the probability of bird activity was “low” near the accident site at the time of the crash, according to the NTSB.

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Funerals forFitzGeraldandTebbenhave already been held, according to their obituaries. FitzGerald was laid to rest on Jan. 29, while a service for Tebben took place days later.

Haslamwill be laid to rest on Monday, per his obituary. The former U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer was about to celebrate his 54th birthday on Feb. 9.

Both FitzGerald and Tebben were preparing to celebrate birthdays in the coming months, as well. FitzGerald, of Hydro, would have turned 48 on March 12 while Tebben, of Emporia, Kansas, would have been 36 in April.

Amemorial servicefor the three men killed in the crash will be held at 1 p.m. local time Tuesday at the Pioneer Cellular Event Center in Weatherford, according to AEL.

The NTSB’s investigation into the crash is ongoing.

source: people.com