Crashed medical helicopter hit poor weather, was trying to land before crash that killed 3

Crashed helicopter had hit poor weather in SC

GEORGETOWN, S.C. — Investigators say a medical helicopter that crashed in coastal South Carolina had run into poor weather and was trying to land.

The Friday night crash killed all three crew members on board. The helicopter had just dropped off a patient at a Charleston hospital and no other patients were on board.

National Transportation Safety Board member Robert Sumwalt says there was poor weather, including rain, in the Georgetown area about 60 miles northeast of Charleston.

Sumwalt says the cause of the crash is still being determined, but it appears there was no fire or structural failure on the aircraft while it was in flight. The helicopter appeared to hit the ground nose-first and was upside-down.

The helicopter belonged to OmniFlight, a Texas-based company that operates 100 aircraft in 18 states.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

GEORGETOWN, S.C. (AP) — Investigators say a medical helicopter that crashed in coastal South Carolina had run into poor weather and was trying to land.

The crash Friday night killed all three crew members on board. The helicopter has just dropped off a patient at a Charleston hospital and no patients were on board.

National Transportation Safety Board member Robert Sumwalt says there was “convective” weather, including rain, in the Georgetown area about 60 miles northeast of Charleston.

Sumwalt says the cause of the crash is still being determined, but it appears there was no fire or structural failure on the aircraft while it was in flight. The helicopter was almost completely consumed by fire after the accident.

The helicopter belonged to OmniFlight, a Texas-based company that operates 100 aircraft in 18 states.