Four injured in AirLink crash in Christmas Valley; high winds said to be factor

Published 9:30 am Thursday, May 19, 2022

An AirLink helicopter sits at its base next to St. Charles-Bend in 2014.

CHRISTMAS VALLEY — An AirLink helicopter crashed while attempting to land Wednesday evening, May 18, at the Christmas Valley Airport.

Four crew members — a pilot and three medical staff — survived the crash and were transported to hospitals. Lake County Sheriff Michael Taylor said Thursday, May 19, he believed all remained in stable condition.

The helicopter was in the process of landing to pick up a patient around 5:24 p.m. Taylor said it’s thought high winds were a factor.

“This is believed to be a weather-related incident,” he said.

From the airport, ground ambulances transported patients to Fort Rock, where they were met by a Life Flight Network helicopter, the Lake County Examiner reported.

AirLink provides patient transport out of bases in Bend and Klamath Falls.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have responded and will conduct an investigation.

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