Dead goose found in flight control system of crashed medical helicopter that killed 3: report

A dead goose was found inside the flight control system of a medical helicopter that crashed and killed three in Oklahoma.

The goose was found “embedded in the flight control servo,” according to a preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board.

It also noted that “several geese were located in the debris field” and that samples of their feathers were taken in for identification.

It did not say if the goose was the reason for the crash, saying “a review of the US Air Force’s Avian Hazard Advisory System found the probability of bird activity “low” in the vicinity of the accident.”

The probable cause report could take up to two years to be completed, the NTSB said.

The helicopter crashed on Jan. 20, killing the pilot, the flight nurse, and the flight paramedic, according to the NTSB.

The crew had dropped off a patient at the Mercy Health Center Heliport in Oklahoma City and was returning to the home base in Weatherford when it crashed.

A search began for the helicopter around 11:30 p.m. after the helicopter’s GPS system stopped working. The aircraft was found in an open pasture in Hydro.

“All major components of the helicopter were located at the accident site,” the report said.

The main part of the wreckage contained the fuselage, engine and tail rotor, while the transmission had separated from the wreck.

A motor blade was also found in an adjacent field and the mast nut was found in the debris field.

With Post wires