Minn. Pilot, Nurse Killed in Medical Helicopter Crash

Star Tribune (Minneapolis)

A North Memorial Health helicopter on approach to the Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport crashed early Friday, killing the pilot and a nurse who was on board.

The pilot and nurse were pronounced dead at the scene. A third member of the crew was injured and taken to St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd, according to a statement released by North Memorial.

Conditions were foggy when the helicopter went down inside a fenced area at the airport just northeast of Brainerd about 1 a.m., said airport director Steve Wright.

No patients were being transported at the time.

First responders, which included the Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office, Brainerd Police and Fire Departments and Baxter Police Department, "did a stellar job. Hats off to them," Wright said.

FAA investigators are on their way to the site, and the National Transportation Safety Board has been notified. The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation, said Elizabeth Isham Cory, an FAA spokeswoman.