AIR CRASH INVESTIGATIONS LACK OF EXPERIENCE The Crash of a Maryland State Police Helicopter

On September 27, 2008, about 2358 eastern daylight time, an Aerospatiale Helicopter (Eurocopter) operated by the Maryland State Police (Msp) encountered instrument meteorological conditions was diverted to Andrews Air Force Base (Adw), Camp Springs, Maryland. About 3.2 miles north of the runway 19R threshold at Adw, during an instrument landing system approach, the helicopter impacted terrain and crashed. The pilot, one flight paramedic, one field provider, and one of two automobile accident patients being transported were killed. The helicopter was substantially damaged when it collided with trees and terrain in Walker Mill Regional Park, District Heights, Maryland. The National Transportation Safety Board determined that the probable cause of this accident was the pilot's lack of experience and lacking support of supporting institutions.