MANHATTAN, Mont. — A medical airplane headed to Bozeman to pick up a patient crashed as it was preparing to land, killing all three people on board, authorities said.
Benefis Healthcare in Great Falls confirmed its "MercyFlight," a King Air 200 turboprop, crashed Tuesday night. The pilot, a nurse and a paramedic were killed. Their identities were not immediately released.
"We are devastated by the loss of our beloved friends, co-workers and members of our community," said Julie Hickethier, chief clinical officer. "This is a time of tremendous mourning for our entire organization."
The small plane disappeared from radar shortly after 9 p.m. while inbound for the Gallatin Field Airport. Gallatin County Sheriff Jim Cashell said the crash was reported about 9:15 p.m.
Searchers and rescue crews had to use all-terrain vehicles and Jeeps to reach the crash site, about 15 miles northwest of the airport.
Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board investigators are investigating.
Benefis Healthcare in Great Falls confirmed its "MercyFlight," a King Air 200 turboprop, crashed Tuesday night. The pilot, a nurse and a paramedic were killed. Their identities were not immediately released.
"We are devastated by the loss of our beloved friends, co-workers and members of our community," said Julie Hickethier, chief clinical officer. "This is a time of tremendous mourning for our entire organization."
The small plane disappeared from radar shortly after 9 p.m. while inbound for the Gallatin Field Airport. Gallatin County Sheriff Jim Cashell said the crash was reported about 9:15 p.m.
Searchers and rescue crews had to use all-terrain vehicles and Jeeps to reach the crash site, about 15 miles northwest of the airport.
Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board investigators are investigating.
