NEED TO KNOW
- A recently released report from the NTSB is offering new insight into the fatal helicopter crash that left one dead and two seriously injured back in November
- The incident occurred on Nov. 8, 2025, near Lebanon, Tenn.
- According to the preliminary report, a flight paramedic on board briefly took over controls of the aircraft while the pilot experienced a medical emergency
A recently released report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is offering new details into the helicopter crash that left one dead and two seriously injured in November 2025.
According to a preliminary report reviewed by PEOPLE, the crash occurred around 1:41 p.m. local time on Nov. 8, 2025, near Lebanon, Tenn. The aircraft was operated by Air Methods LLC which was providing LifeFlight services for the Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) and the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital in Nashville.
Around 1:34 p.m., LifeFlight1 departed from the base in Gallatin, Tenn., with one pilot, one flight nurse and one flight paramedic named Andrew Sikes. About three minutes after the initial dispatch request, the communications center (AIRCOM) informed the crew their call had been canceled. The pilot subsequently turned around back towards Gallatin.
At 1:39 p.m., AIRCOM received a radio call from the flight paramedic stating: “Aircom…LF1…we have a medical emergency onboard with our pilot…uh were gonna…we will advise.” AIRCOM received no further transmissions from the flight.
In a post-accident interview, the Sikes revealed to the NTSB that he noticed the pilot didn’t make any movements after he turned the aircraft around. After tapping him on his shoulder, he saw the pilot’s expression was a “complete blank stare.”
Sikes launched into action. He noticed that the autopilot was not activated. Thinking the aircraft was moving too fast, he removed his restraints and moved to the front to try and slow the helicopter down.
“The flight paramedic had never touched a cyclic control stick in flight before, as they were not allowed to, but from watching pilots’ hands in flight, he knew that small inputs would result in small reactions, and he needed a large reaction,” the NTSB report states.
Sikes was able to stabilize the helicopter, but it was still moving fast. He looked up and saw a bright yellow field, attempting to move the aircraft in that direction.
“While the flight paramedic was leaning over the console trying to control the helicopter, it struck the tops of the trees while approaching the field,” the report states. “About 10-20 feet above the ground, the flight paramedic made a hard flare and the helicopter then impacted the ground.”
After determining the helicopter landed in an “unplanned” location, AIRCOM began its post-accident initiation plan.
According to the report, the helicopter impacted the ground and rolled on to its left side. All major components of the aircraft “remained intact,” including the crew and passenger compartment. However, the tailboom was bent downward.
“Overall, the postaccident examination revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failure that would have precluded normal operation at the time of impact,” the report says.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Sikes and the pilot both sustained serious injuries as a result.
According to VUMC News, the fatal accident took the life of 55-year-old flight nurse Allan Williams. The outlet reports he was a devoted husband, father and friend who recently celebrated 15 years of service with the VUMC.
Read the full article here