Maintenance Error Eyed in Crash

Investigators are searching for reasons why the rotor blades, hub and mast landed about 200 yards from the main wreckage of the Air Evac Lifeteam aircraft. The Bell Helicopter 206L1 crashed Aug. 31 near Greensburg, Ind. at about 1320 local and in visual meteorological conditions. The pilot, flight nurse and paramedic on board were killed. One witness told investigators led by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board that the helicopter cleared a set of high-tension power lines after takeoof. Witnesses reported components then separated from the aircraft in flight before impact. The NTSB said the main rotor blades remained attached to the hub, and one blade remained intact. For related news