facebook-pixel

NTSB: Air ambulance had repairs before Elko crash in 2016

(Jeffry Mullins | The Daily Free Press | The Associated Press) The wreckage of an American Medflight plane sits in the Barrick Gold Corp. parking lot in Elko, Nev., Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation safety board will investigate the fiery crash in northern Nevada in which all four people aboard the air-ambulance flight were reported killed.

(Jeffry Mullins | The Daily Free Press | The Associated Press) The wreckage of an American Medflight plane sits in the Barrick Gold Corp. parking lot in Elko, Nev., Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation safety board will investigate the fiery crash in northern Nevada in which all four people aboard the air-ambulance flight were reported killed.

By  The Associated Press
 | Aug. 6, 2018, 10:34 a.m.

Elko, Nev. • Federal investigators say an air ambulance that crashed after takeoff in Elko in November 2016 was repaired three times in the six weeks before it went down, killing all four people on board.

But the National Transportation Safety Board said Friday there was no evidence of mechanical malfunction or engine failure when the twin-engine aircraft bound for a Salt Lake City hospital crashed near the Elko airport.

The NTSB said earlier a witness reported the plane operated by American Medflight appeared to lose power immediately after takeoff.

Investigators said Friday toxicological tests on the pilot's remains found no evidence of alcohol or drugs.

An oil leak was repaired and fuel control unit replaced on Oct. 10. A valve was replaced on one engine three days before the Nov. 18 crash. The investigation into the cause of the accident continues.

Support free news for Utah

sltrib.com is now free to access — no subscription required. We made this decision because we believe access to trustworthy, independent news shouldn’t depend on what you can afford — especially as misinformation and AI-generated content continue to rise.

Free to read doesn’t mean free to produce. Our reporters show up every day to ask hard questions and hold powerful institutions to account. That work takes resources. As a nonprofit newsroom, we rely on support from people who believe it matters. Make a donation today to fund local news that serves Utah communities.

You can help us bring more local news to more communities today.

$15$25$35

MOST VIEWED

By The Associated Press