More detail on this person: Flight for Life
Helicopter Crashes in Colorado, Killing Pilot by
PHIL HELSEL
A pilot was killed and two others were injured
after a medical helicopter crashed outside of a
Colorado hospital and burst into flames Friday,
officials said.
There were no patients on board the Flight for
Life Colorado helicopter, said Christina Brodsly,
spokesperson for medical transportation company
Air Methods. A flight paramedic and flight nurse
on board were also injured, she said.
Lake Dillon Fire officials battle a fire after a
medical helicopter crashed outside of a hospital
in Frisco, Colorado, Friday. The pilot was killed
and a paramedic and nurse were injured, officials
said. Lake Dillon Fire-Rescue "We are deeply
saddened by the news that our pilot was fatally
injured, and our hearts go out to the pilot's
family," Brodsly said.
The Airbus AS350 helicopter was taking off from
St. Anthony Summit Medical Center in Frisco when
it crashed at around 1:40 p.m. local time (3:40
p.m. E.T.), landing in the parking lot of the
hospital, officials and witnesses said.
The helicopter was not on a medical call when the
crash occurred, Lake Dillon Fire-Rescue said.
Lake Dillon Fire-Rescue said the aircraft was
"fully engulfed in flames" when firefighters
arrived. A witness told NBC affiliate KUSA that
the helicopter appeared to be taking off in windy
conditions when it spiraled out of control and
crashed.
The pilot killed in the crash was identified as
Patrick Mahany, 64. He had been a pilot for Flight
for Life since 1987, and was a Vietnam veteran who
received the bronze star and purple heart, Summit
County government said in a news release.
The names of the two people injured were not
released. The two crew members were airlifted to
hospitals in the Denver area, the fire department
said. A hospital worker who responded to the fiery
crash also suffered minor injuries. The fire also
destroyed two vehicles in the parking lot, Lake
Dillon Fire-Rescue said.
The National Transportation Safety Board said it
is investigating the crash. The Federal Aviation
Administration also sent a team of investigators
to the crash scene, the fire department said.
Frisco is a town of a little more than 2,600 about
70 miles west of Denver.
Patrick Edwin Mahany, Jr. was born on December
8th, 1950 in Hornell, New York. First born son to
Patrick Edwin Mahany, Sr. and Phyllis Isabelle
Milliard, he was the eldest of five siblings:
Timothy (deceased), Sean, Michelle and Kevin.
Patrick is survived by wife Karen and three
children, Kathleen Celeste, Shawna Suzanne, and
son Ryan Patrick. Patrick was a proud grandfather
to Maxwell Allen, McKenzie Anne, Michael Ryan,
Jackson Ryan, Grayson Sean, and
great-grandfather to Matthew Allen.
Patrick grew up on the family's potato farm in
Arkport, New York. He worked on the farm with his
father, coached his brother's little league, and
competed in horse competitions with the family's
quarter horses and thoroughbreds. Patrick was
known in and around Arkport as Patty, and was
also known for continuously getting into mischief
with his brothers. He graduated high school from
Arkport Central School in 1968 where he played
soccer and was named most valuable player.
Patrick enjoyed his sports cars and rotated
through many of them including a Ford Falcon
convertible and an MGB. He bought his first
Corvette off the showroom floor after he returned
from Vietnam in 1972. Though he was much older
than the younger ones, his siblings remember him
as a loyal and loving brother who stood up to
bullies and always brought fun, laughter, and
light to family gatherings.
He had a zest for life and did all of his
activities, whether it was hiking, skiing, water
skiing, soccer, watching the Denver Broncos, and
driving his sports cars with passion and
exuberance.
Knowing he would be drafted into the military,
Patrick joined the Army in 1969 and was in classes
70-45 and 70-47. He graduated flight school in
1970. He served one tour in Vietnam from April
1970 to April 1971 where he flew 1200 combat
hours. He originally flew for DIV ARTY Americal
and D/229 AHB 1 CAV under the call sign(s)
PHOENIX 9 and TIGER 13. He was shot down
three times and earned a Bronze Star and a Purple
Heart. Once he returned from combat, he was
stationed in Fort Knox until getting out of the
military in 1974, and then joined again in 1975
for three years. He once landed his helicopter on
the farm in New York in exchange for 100 pound
sack of potatoes for his commander. Always
coming back home to visit his parents, Patrick is
a member of the Arkport American Legion to this
day.
After his military career, Patrick worked a
variety of flying jobs including private and
personal pilot, flew men and equipment to offshore
oil rigs in Gulf of Mexico, fought fires in
California and Arizona, long lines school in
Washington in 1981, transported oil explorers and
scientists in Alaska, the Forest Service in Moab,
Utah, Life Flight for Rocky Mountain Helicopters
in Florida. He joined Flight for Life in June 1987
until September 1998, took a short break and
returned December 1999 to present. He was based
out of St. Anthony's North in Westminster from
1987 until moving to St. Anthony Summit Medical
Center in Frisco, Colorado in 2004.
Patrick served as the Base Manager, the Program
Safety Officer, and a member of the Hospital
Safety Committee. He was instrumental in bringing
night vision goggles to the flight program and
getting them approved by FAA to make night flying
safer for himself and the crew. He knew that the
safety of the crew ensured the safety of those
they were transporting in the many critical
situations they were asked to fly in. Above all,
Patrick served his crew members and colleagues in
any capacity he could and fought hard for their
voices to be heard and their needs to be met.
He embodied the spirit of service to others,
whether it be his crew and colleagues, whom he
greatly loved, or the people he and his crew
worked to save daily. At any given time, Patrick
could be found watching weather reports and DTC
updates for road conditions to be prepared for any
critical situation. He was not only a skilled
pilot from years of experience, but was also a
trusted one with each crew member who had full
confidence in his skill and abilities.
Outside of work and hospital committee duties,
Patrick was elected Vice President of Local 109
Pilot's Union and worked tirelessly to speak on
behalf of the pilots and represent their needs to
Air Methods. He was also an active member of the
Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association where he
attended large and small gatherings of his combat
brethren as well as an active member of the Rocky
Mountain Chapter of the VHPA. Patrick was an
extremely proud Veteran and was adamant for
Veteran's rights and benefits.
Patrick's legacy of flying lives on with his son,
Ryan, a Blackhawk pilot for the U.S. Army. Patrick
was an accomplished pilot with 45 years of flying
experience and wisdom he humbly imparted, but
only when asked. Ryan's Army Aviation buddies
saddled up to Patrick on a number of occasions,
bourbon in hand, asking questions about his
career. He imparted valuable wisdom to his son and
his buddies by opening up his home and heart, and
of course taught them a few songs from Vietnam.
Patrick selflessly gave his love to his family and
friends. People describe his presence when he
entered a room, though they likely heard his
booming voice first, and he always brought a
vibrant and contagious joy that set everyone at
ease. His gregarious and boisterous personality
left an impression on everyone he met, even for a
moment. His mustache was most memorable and
distinguished, along with his ever present Flight
for Life or Denver Broncos cap.
He was a beloved husband of 12 years to Karen
Sue Tullberg Mahany. They fell deeply in love and
married on June 22nd, 2003. They parented their
four dogs and enjoyed taking them on daily hikes
in the mountains of Summit County. They enjoyed
traveling in the RV to Lake of the Ozarks or
visiting family, and getting out on the boat in
the summer months.
Above all, Patrick was a friend to many and hero
to all.
"No greater love hath a man, than to lay down his
life for a friend." John 15:13
Funeral Mass, Fri., 10:00 AM, Dillon Amphitheater,
Dillon. A reception to follow service at Copper
Mountain Resort. In lieu of flowers, contributions
are suggested to the Frisco Helicopter Donation
Fund, c/o Wells Fargo Bank, P.O. Box 4340,
Frisco CO 80443, acct. #6307517174 or the Patrick
Mahany Memorial Fund via youcaring.com. Share
condolences at HoranCares.com
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list
Return to VHPA web site
Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association