SAVANNAH, Ga., April 14, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- The family of Alicia Goodwin settled a lawsuit against the air ambulance company that owned and operated a helicopter that crashed near Newberry, South Carolina while taking off from Interstate 26. The crash occurred on July 13, 2004 at approximately 5:30 am. The helicopter was attempting to transport Goodwin after she was hit by a truck near a rest area. Goodwin was killed in the collision, along with the flight nurse, flight paramedic and the pilot. From the medical reports it appeared that Goodwin suffered a leg injury that was not life threatening.
The conditions during the night time flight were light fog and mist. During the case it was discovered that two other air ambulance companies declined the flight because of the weather conditions. The helicopter crashed after taking off and getting caught on surrounding trees. The helicopter took off from Spartanburg Regional Medical Center and was attempting to take Goodwin to the Medical Center.
The Goodwin family was represented by the law firm of Harris Penn & Lowry, LLP based in Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia. "Alicia's injuries were not life threatening and she begged not to go on the helicopter," said Jeff Harris, attorney for the Goodwins. "This was an unnecessary flight that tragically cost the life of the four people on board."
Air ambulance companies have come under increasing scrutiny due to taking unnecessary flights and inadequate safety procedures. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), there were 55 emergency medical aircraft accidents which resulted in 54 fatalities and 18 serious injuries from January 2002 through January 2005. The NTSB recently released a study in January 2006 regarding air ambulances and their safety issues. The study found that air ambulances are used excessively, lack procedures for flight risk evaluations, and have inadequate flight dispatch procedures.
Controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) during takeoff and landing is one of the most common causes of air ambulance accidents. A terrain awareness and warnings system (TAWS) could help avoid many of these accidents.
The terms of the Goodwin's settlement are confidential.
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