More detail on this person: Company says no
distress call before helicopter crash, Posted: Jul
29, 2010 4:51 PM EDT, Updated: Jul 29, 2010 7:48
PM EDT This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site:
03/10/2024
Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association
By Mindy Blake - email
TUCSON, AZ (KOLD) - Flags are flying at half
staff in Tucson in memory of the three people who
lost their lives in a medical helicopter crash in
Tucson Wednesday.
They were on a B38 Star helicopter that went down
in a neighborhood at Park and Glenn. Firefighters
pulled two people from the burning wreckage. They
later died at University Medical Center. A third
victim died at the scene. The crew is identified
as 61-year old pilot Alex Kelley of Tucson,
28-year old paramedic Brenda French from Safford,
and 41-year old nurse Parker Summons, from
Tucson.
Air Methods Corporation owns the helicopter and
seven others like it in Arizona. On Thursday,
company spokesman Craig Yale said there was no
distress call to Tucson International Airport from
the helicopter before it went down. There was no
black box on the aircraft, but there was a
computer that monitors the engine. It will be
sent to the manufacturer to be read. It could
take months before anyone knows what caused the
helicopter to go down. It only had 350 hours
flying time, and was put in service one year ago.
Yale said the helicopter had just left a facility
in Marana for routine maintenance before it went
down. He said Pilot Kelley had 14-thousand hours
flying time, a very experienced pilot.
c2010 KOLD. All rights reserved.
Alex served with Platex C Company, 159th ASHB,
101st ABN Div 1969-70. He participated in the
last major US battle in Vietnam for Firebase
Ripcord. Alex was a fearless and excellent pilot.
After he left the Army, he flew for the US Border
Patrol and retired from the position of supervisor
of Tuscon Air Operations in 2002. Alex continued
to fly as a medevac pilot for the Air Metland
(LifeNet) until his death on July 28th. Alex died
a hero after his helicopter had engine failure and
possible tail rotor failure. He managed to
maneuver his helicopter around several houses
saving the lives of many people on the ground.
Alex and two medics unfortunately perished in the
crash.
Alex was one of the founding members of VHPA
and enjoyed attending the reunions with his wife
Vera.
Alex is survived by his wonderful wife, Vera, son
Ian, daughter Paige, stepsons Lanny and Shane,
and stepdaughter Kristen. He will be greatly
missed by family and friends.
I was fortunate to serve with Alex in Vietnam as
his Platoon Leader and I can honestly say he was a
great pilot who never hesitated at taking a
mission no matter how dangerous it was. I will
never forget Alex and I will always miss his
friendship.
From: Dale Buzz Ireland