More detail on this person: CHICAGO _ A
medical helicopter pilot hit bad weather and was
trying to return to the hospital hangar shortly
before the aircraft crashed into a northern
Illinois field, killing him and two nurses,
authorities said Tuesday.
Pilot Andy Olesen radioed to dispatchers at
Rockford Memorial Hospital that he was turning
around because he had "encountered some
weather" while heading to another hospital to pick
up a patient Monday night, hospital spokesman
Wester Wuori said.
Olesen, 65, and flight nurses Karen Hollis, 48,
and Jim Dillow, 40, died when the plane crashed
about 8:30 p.m. near Rochelle, about 70 miles west
of Chicago. No patients were aboard at the time.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National
Transportation Safety Board are investigating.
National Weather Service observations showed light
snow, seven-mile visibility and light winds in the
Rochelle area around the time of the crash,
meteorologist Jamie Enderlen said. She said the
NWS usually worries about visibility of a mile or
less, "but there could have been localized"
weather at the point the helicopter turned around.
Wuori said he was not sure where the helicopter
was when Olesen turned. It crashed several miles
south of Rochelle.
The hospital issued a statement saying it was
grieving for "three heroes who dedicated their
careers to serving others."
"This is just a complete shock to everybody,"
Wuori said. "The crew ... worked with so many
people."
Wuori said the hospital bought the helicopter in
1991 and it had a "perfect safety record up until
last night." The hospital contracted with
Colorado-based Air Methods for services, which
included the pilot, maintenance and FAA
certification.
The nurses were employed by the hospital.
Air Methods Vice President Craig Yale said the
hospital's helicopter, an MBBK 117, was "a very
reliable aircraft" and a "workhorse in our
industry." He could not discuss the crash because
of the ongoing investigation.
He also said that Olesen was an experienced pilot
who had worked for the company for 19 years, after
flying for the U.S. Army for 23 years.
"We are trying to recognize his professionalism,"
Yale said. "(Olesen) was a seasoned and
professional pilot."
Rockford Memorial said Hollis was a critical care
nurse who had worked at the hospital for more than
25 years. Dillow had worked there for 20 years
with experience in critical care and in the
emergency room.
Air Methods pledged its "full cooperation" with
investigators.
"We extend our heartfelt sympathy to the family,
colleagues and friends of those who perished in
Illinois while on duty," Air Methods CEO Aaron
Todd said in a written statement.
Yale said Air Methods is the world's largest
medical air transport company. He said the
company provides services to hospitals all over
the country, and it was unusual for a hospital to
own its own helicopter rather than contracting
with the company for an aircraft.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com
Andrew H. "Andy" Olesen, 65, of Rockford died
Monday, Dec. 10, 2012, in a helicopter accident.
Born Feb. 23, 1947, the son of Anker and Sena
(Kuhlmann) Olesen. Andy married Patricia Beck on
Sept. 12, 1970,in Pierre, S.D. Andy served in the
U.S. Army as a helicopter pilot. He was a Vietnam
veteran. He was a longtime member of Bethlehem
Lutheran Church. He enjoyed playing golf,
racquetball, and was an avid Green Bay Packer fan.
Andy was a member of the "REACT" team for
Rockford Memorial Hospital. He is survived by his
wife, Pat of Rockford; son, Tony (Julie) Olesen of
Round Rock, Texas; daughter, Michelle (Rufo)
Reyes of Fort Worth, Texas; grandchildren, Jacob,
Caitlin and Addison Olesen; sisters, Kathryn
Nordstrom of Yankton, S.D., and Connie (David)
Selleck of Portland, Oregon; and nieces, Cindy
Filips and Sherry Nordstrom, and their families.
Predeceased by his parents and sister, Barbara.
Memorial service at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, at
Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 4620 20th St.,
Rockford, with the Rev. Ralph Kuespert
officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the
family for a memorial to be established in Andy's
name. Arrangements by Olson Funeral & Cremation
Services Ltd. To share a memory or online
condolence, visit olsonfh.com.
Published in Rockford Register Star from December
13 to December 14, 2012
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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