AirCare Helicopter Crash in Madison County: Pilot, Two UMMC Employees Killed

March 10, 2025 – Jackson, Mississippi – A horrific crash involving a University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) AirCare helicopter occurred Tuesday afternoon in Madison County, claiming the lives of three individuals. The tragic incident took place in a heavily wooded area near the Natchez Trace Parkway, resulting in the deaths of the pilot, a Med-Trans crew member, and two UMMC employees. Authorities have confirmed that no patients were on board at the time of the crash.

The crash site, located south of the Natchez Trace Parkway and north of Pipeline Road, was reported by local officials as a remote area that was challenging for emergency responders to access. Several agencies, including the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Gluckstadt Fire Department, and other first responders, immediately mobilized to the scene, where they were met with difficult terrain and hazardous conditions.

According to Dr. LouAnn Woodward, Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs at UMMC, the helicopter was carrying a Med-Trans pilot, two UMMC employee crew members, and was without patients. The identities of the victims have not yet been publicly released, but authorities are working diligently to notify next of kin. As per standard protocol, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assumed control of the investigation to determine the cause of the crash.

The AirCare medical flight program, operated by UMMC, plays a crucial role in transporting critically ill or injured patients to UMMC and other hospitals across the state. This program uses a fleet of helicopters stationed in various locations, including Jackson, Meridian, Columbus, and Greenwood. The program’s loss is deeply felt by the UMMC family, and the incident has sent shockwaves throughout the medical community in Mississippi.

The Crash and Immediate Response

On the afternoon of Tuesday, March 10, 2025, an AirCare helicopter from the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) was en route to perform a critical transport mission when it crashed in a densely wooded area of Madison County, Mississippi. The crash occurred south of the Natchez Trace Parkway, an area known for its remote and difficult-to-reach terrain. The helicopter was found in a heavily wooded section near Pipeline Road, requiring emergency personnel to navigate challenging conditions in their efforts to access the wreckage.

The exact time of the crash is still under investigation, but it is believed to have occurred during the helicopter’s routine transport duties. As soon as emergency services were alerted, local law enforcement and fire departments quickly arrived at the scene, with personnel working in difficult conditions to assess the situation. Madison County Sheriff’s Office deputies were among the first to arrive, immediately confirming that the crash had resulted in fatalities.

Due to the remote location of the crash site and the severe nature of the wreckage, search and rescue operations were initially hindered. Crews from the Gluckstadt Fire Department, along with other first responders, assisted in the recovery efforts. They were forced to work through thick wooded areas, making it challenging to approach the wreckage. Despite their best efforts, all three individuals aboard the helicopter were confirmed dead at the scene.

At the time of the crash, no patients were aboard the AirCare helicopter, which is typically used for the rapid transport of critically ill and injured individuals to medical facilities, including the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. Authorities have since confirmed that the helicopter was operating without patients at the time of the crash, which has been a source of some relief, though the loss of the crew is devastating.

The Victims: A Community Grieves

While local authorities have not yet publicly disclosed the identities of the victims, the UMMC community has been deeply affected by the tragic loss. The medical center’s Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs, Dr. LouAnn Woodward, offered her condolences to the families of those who perished in the crash.

“We are deeply saddened by this tragic event and are working closely with authorities to support the families of our employees who were lost in this terrible accident,” Dr. Woodward said in a statement. “The AirCare program has been an essential part of our mission to provide life-saving care to the people of Mississippi, and we will mourn the loss of these dedicated individuals.”

The victims’ families are understandably devastated by the news, and UMMC has pledged to provide support during this incredibly difficult time. Emergency response teams, colleagues, and fellow first responders have also expressed their shock and sorrow over the loss of their peers, highlighting the close-knit nature of the medical community in Mississippi.

The crew members aboard the AirCare helicopter were well-regarded professionals with years of experience in the medical field. The pilot, employed by Med-Trans, was responsible for flying the helicopter to various medical facilities in the region. The two UMMC employees, whose roles and responsibilities have not been detailed at this time, were also part of the highly skilled team that has dedicated their careers to saving lives.

The AirCare Program: A Critical Lifeline

The AirCare program operated by the University of Mississippi Medical Center has been an essential part of the state’s healthcare system for years. The program utilizes a fleet of helicopters to quickly transport critically ill patients from remote areas or smaller medical facilities to UMMC and other hospitals where they can receive specialized care. The service is vital in ensuring that people across Mississippi, particularly in rural and underserved areas, have access to life-saving treatment.

UMMC operates a fleet of AirCare helicopters based in various locations around the state, including Jackson, Meridian, Columbus, and Greenwood. These helicopters are used to transport patients in emergency situations, such as heart attacks, severe trauma, and other critical conditions. The AirCare program is integral to the state’s emergency response network, and the loss of three crew members is being felt deeply across the healthcare community.

The AirCare program’s reputation for reliability and excellence has made it a trusted resource for first responders across Mississippi. The loss of the helicopter crew members is a sobering reminder of the risks involved in providing emergency medical services, as these highly trained professionals routinely face hazardous conditions in order to save lives.

The Investigation: What Led to the Crash?

Following the crash, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) quickly took control of the investigation to determine the cause of the crash. The investigation will likely focus on several factors, including the weather conditions at the time of the crash, the mechanical condition of the helicopter, and the flight crew’s actions leading up to the incident.

Initial reports suggest that weather may not have been a significant factor in the crash, as conditions at the time of the incident appeared to be clear. However, investigators will need to gather further data from the wreckage, flight logs, and eyewitness accounts to determine the cause.

The FAA will also look into the maintenance records of the helicopter involved in the crash, as well as the history of the aircraft. The investigation is expected to take several months, and authorities have pledged to keep the public informed as new details emerge.

In addition to the FAA, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) may also become involved in the investigation. The NTSB is responsible for investigating accidents involving transportation, including aviation incidents, and its findings could offer additional insights into the cause of the crash.

The Aftermath: Support for Families and First Responders

In the wake of this tragedy, UMMC has offered its full support to the families of the victims. Counseling services have been made available to grieving family members and colleagues, and the medical center is working closely with local authorities to ensure that the families of the deceased receive all necessary assistance.

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Gluckstadt Fire Department, and other first responders involved in the recovery efforts have also received support from UMMC and the broader medical community. Emergency response teams, who often work in high-stress environments, have expressed their condolences to the families of their fallen colleagues and vowed to continue their efforts to keep the public safe.

A memorial service for the victims is being planned, though details have not yet been released. The service will be an opportunity for friends, family, and colleagues to come together to honor the lives of those lost in the tragic accident.

Conclusion: A Community United in Grief

The crash of the UMMC AirCare helicopter in Madison County has left the state of Mississippi in shock. The loss of three lives – the pilot, and two UMMC employees – is a devastating blow to the medical community, which depends on the AirCare program to provide critical medical care to those in need. As the investigation continues, authorities will work to determine the cause of the crash, while the families and colleagues of the victims mourn their tragic loss. The memory of these dedicated individuals will live on through the lives they helped save and the countless others they inspired with their service and commitment to the health and well-being of others.