NTSB Issues Preliminary Report on Deadly Care Flight Plane Crash Near Stagecoach | News

Publish date: 2024-04-17

A new federal report says parts of the right wing on a medical transport plane that crashed last month in rural Nevada, killing all five people aboard, fell far from the main wreckage site.

The Associated Press reports that the National Transportation Safety Board's preliminary findings released Wednesday could support the agency's initial theory that the aircraft had broken apart before hitting the ground. NTSB is expected to release its final report with a probable cause within two years.

The agency says parts of the plane's right wing were located as far as three-quarters of a mile (1.1 kilometers) from where the single-engine Pilatus PC12 crashed in Stagecoach, Nevada, a rural community of about 2,500 residents outside of Reno.

Authorities have said the Care Flight piloted by Scott Walton, 46, was headed from Reno to Salt Lake City when it crashed around 9:15 p.m. on Feb. 24 amid a winter storm. Care Flight is a service of REMSA Health, and its aviation vendor is Guardian Flight.

Guardian Flight said in a statement Wednesday it was reviewing the report and assessing ways to strengthen its safety protocols.

“The safety and well-being of our patients and crew is our utmost priority and we will continue to make significant investments to bolster our commitment," the company said.

The other victims also included 69-year-old patient Mark Rand and his 66-year-old spouse Terri Rand, as well as two medical crew members, Edward Pricola, 32, and Ryan Watson, 27.

Walton contacted air traffic control minutes before the crash to report that the plane was climbing past 15,400 feet (4,694 meters), according to the report. But no further radio transmissions came in from the pilot, the report states.

Just minutes later, the plane began to fall — dropping about 8,000 feet (2,440 meters) in 30 seconds — before the aircraft's navigation tracking system went dark, according to the report.

Dan Rose, an aviation attorney retained by relatives of the Rands, told The Associated Press that they hope NTSB will investigate Guardian Flight’s decision to fly instead of waiting for the winter storm to pass. Rose also said Mark Rand’s condition wasn’t life-threatening at the time.

“I know the family would want the NTSB to look carefully at the two issues,” Rose said Wednesday. “They’re really intertwined.”

The National Weather Service said it was snowing steadily when the flight left Reno, with winds around 20 mph (30 kph) and gusts up to 30 mph (50 kph). Visibility was under 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) with a cloud ceiling about 2,000 feet (600 meters).

You can read more in the preliminary report below. 

Download PDF NTSB Preliminary Report

REMSA Health says they have been deeply touched by the outpouring of support shown to their organization, providers, and staff over the last two weeks.

Earlier this week, A public memorial service for the victims killed in last month's REMSA Care Flight crash was held at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center.

As the REMSA Health team and community continues to grieve, they have established the Care Flight Memorial Fund, in which all donations will be directed to support families and colleagues of those on board: https://bit.ly/3YxA4wV.

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March 9, 2023:

Care Flight says three of its four helicopters are back in service after it paused flights in the wake of last month’s deadly plane crash.

A spokesperson for REMSA says the fourth aircraft will start flying as their operational needs dictate.

So far, there's no timeline on resuming fixed wing medical transport service.

A fixed-wing plane, operated by Guardian Flight, crashed on February 24th killing two Care Flight workers, the pilot, a patient and a passenger.

March 8, 2023: 

A public memorial service for the victims killed in last month's REMSA Care Flight crash was held at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center on Wednesday.

The crew - Care Flight nurse Ed Pricola, Care Flight paramedic Ryan Watson, and Guardian Flight pilot Captain Scott Walton were honored at the service.

State of Nevada Major General Ondra Berry said that all three crew members made the ultimate sacrifice.

"They were willing to show up and give the best of themselves in the most challenging situations."

Care Flight presented Watson, Pricola, and Walton with their wings during the memorial.

For EMS professionals, earning wings is described as the culmination of many years of hard work.

The National Transportation Safety Board says the flight was on its way to Salt Lake City, but it was only in the air for about 14 minutes before it broke apart midair and crashed near Stagecoach.

Details for tomorrow’s (Wednesday, March 8) memorial procession for the Crew of Care Flight Fixed-Wing 56 for members of the public to pay their respects along the route can be found here: https://t.co/xjNWx25DzI @CityofReno @washoecounty @cityofsparks @REMSAHealth pic.twitter.com/I78Umsu4Mf

— Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue (@TMFPD) March 7, 2023

Forever in our hearts, @REMSAHealth Care Flight Fixed-Wing 56 ♥️ pic.twitter.com/gJrv6bhskX

— Reno Aces (@Aces) March 8, 2023

Anyone is welcome to share pictures and videos that may be included in public tributes at remsahealth.com/share-a-memory

Care Flight's Facebook page can be found here: (1) Care Flight | Reno NV | Facebook

Governor Lombardo has ordered flags of the United States and the State of Nevada to be flown at half-staff at the State Capitol and all State public building and grounds beginning at sunrise on Saturday, March 4, 2023.

The flags will remain at half-staff until the conclusion of the last memorial service honoring the first responders involved in this tragedy.

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February 28 Update: 

Care Flight does not yet know when it will resume air ambulance flights following last week's deadly plane crash near Stagecoach.

A spokesperson for REMSA says they have no timeline on when service will resume. They add, "we will reevaluate and assess readiness to resume Care Flight service in the coming days." 

NTSB B-Roll: Investigators documenting the site of the Pilatus PC-12 airplane crash

February 27, 2023: NTSB investigators document wreckage of the 02/24/2023 Pilatus PC-12 airplane crash site in Dayton, NV.

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February 27 Update:

The Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office has positively identified the five deceased individuals involved in an aircraft crash that occurred on February 24 near Stagecoach, Nevada.

All decedents were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident and were later identified by fingerprint comparison.

Autopsies revealed the cause of death for all five decedents was multiple blunt force injuries.

GoFundMe fundraisers have been created for the victims of the crash and can be located lower in the story.

A REMSA Health-Care Flight Community Condolences webpage has also been created for any who would like to send a message of condolences or support. 

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February 26 Update:

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) held a briefing on their investigation on the Care Flight crash that killed five people near Stagecoach on Friday night.

NTSB says the plane which was owned by Guardian Flight was in the air for about 14 minutes before it crashed on its way to Salt Lake City.

Before the crash, NTSB says the plane was in a descending right turn at 19,000 feet before breaking apart mid-air.

Crews are still out at the crash site gathering evidence.

In their investigation, the NTSB will be reviewing the pilot's actions, the aircraft maintenance records file and turbulence in the area during the crash.

A preliminary report should be released in a few weeks and a final report could take up to 18 months. 

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Original Story from February 25:

The Lyon County Sheriff's Office confirmed five people lost their lives after a PC-12 fixed-wing plane operated by REMSA and Care Flight crashed near Stagecoach, Nevada Friday night. 

The five people on board were a Guardian Flight pilot, a REMSA flight nurse and flight paramedic, a patient and the patient's family member. There were no survivors. 

The plane went off radar at 9:45pm Friday, according to REMSA.

GoFundMe pages have been created for Ryan Watson, Ed Pricola, Mark Rand, Terri Rand and Scott Watson who are believed to have died in the crash. To visit the donation pages, you can click the corresponding link below:

(Ed Pricola) Fundraiser by Kleine Calvo : Ed Pricola, REMSA Careflight RN, BSN (gofundme.com)

(Ryan Watson)  Fundraiser by Savanah Green : Care Flight Paramedic Ryan Watson (gofundme.com)   

(Mark and Terri Rand) Fundraiser by Misty Gruenemay : The Rand family (gofundme.com)

(Scott Walton) Fundraiser by Katie Maguire Walton : Help family of pilot in fatal Care Flight crash (gofundme.com)

The full statement from REMSA Health is here: 

"Care Flight, a service of REMSA Health, headquartered in Reno, Nevada and Guardian Flight, headquartered in Utah, can confirm that a PC 12 fixed wing aircraft, tail number N273SM, went off radar Friday, Feb. 24, at approximately 9:45 p.m., near Stagecoach, Nevada. We are heartbroken to report that we have now received confirmation from Central Lyon County Fire Department that none of the five people on board survived. The five people on board were a pilot, a flight nurse, a flight paramedic, a patient and a patient's family member. We are in the process of notifying their family members. 

Our immediate focus is helping our team members and families, as well as the responding agencies.

The Central Lyon Fire Department and Lyon County Sheriff’s Department are coordinating with the National Transportation Safety Board to determine the cause of the crash which is under investigation.

As is Guardian and Care Flight’s safety process in these situations, we are in a passive stand down for all Guardian and Care Flight flights across the company. We will work with each of our operations to ascertain when they are able to return to service." 

Some Nevada officials, politicians and communities are also sharing their condolences for those who lost their lives in the crash.

Donna and I are mourning the lives lost in last night’s tragic Care Flight accident. Our hearts are heavy today. We are sending our prayers and deepest condolences to @REMSAHealth and to all families that were impacted. pic.twitter.com/k68ou3WoET

— Governor Joe Lombardo (@JosephMLombardo) February 25, 2023

My heart goes out to the families of the passengers and crew aboard the @REMSAHealth Care Flight crash in Stagecoach last night.

Paul and I were heartbroken to hear the news of this tragic accident, and our prayers tonight are with the loved ones of those we lost.

— Senator Cortez Masto (@SenCortezMasto) February 25, 2023

I’m heartbroken over the lives lost in a REMSA Care Flight medical plane crash near Stagecoach. Keeping the families & loved ones of the victims in my thoughts.

My office is in touch with federal officials & will continue to monitor the situation. https://t.co/4j1lKwepbQ

— Senator Jacky Rosen (@SenJackyRosen) February 25, 2023

The Washoe County Sheriff's Office mourns with our friend, REMSA Health, after the loss of those onboard a Care Flight crash last evening. pic.twitter.com/EVhYP7y33G

— Washoe Sheriff (@WashoeSheriff) February 25, 2023

It is with tremendous sadness to learn of the tragic accident involving a @REMSAhealth Care Flight medical crew

They are true heroes and risk their lives everyday to serve others

This incident will leave a hole in our hearts forever

Sending prayers and love to our REMSA family pic.twitter.com/pdXvyTjB9J

— Mayor Hillary Schieve (@MayorSchieve) February 25, 2023

Attorney General @AaronDFordNV and the entire Office of the Attorney General send their prayers and their love to @REMSAHealth and the families and loved ones impacted by last night's Care Flight accident. pic.twitter.com/uhTMhnQ3Cw

— NV Attorney General (@NevadaAG) February 25, 2023

The City of Reno sends its deepest condolences to the families of the five people lost last night and the entire team at @REMSAHealth during this impossibly difficult time. pic.twitter.com/pxUTjtaDvz

— City of Reno (@CityofReno) February 25, 2023

Our hearts are heavy after hearing about the tragic Care Flight crash last night. @TheEdLawson, our Sparks City Council and all staff extend our deepest thoughts and prayers to the families of those lost in the accident. The City of Sparks mourns with our partner @REMSAHealth. pic.twitter.com/EAouKhMNqV

— City of Sparks, NV (@cityofsparks) February 25, 2023

Our thoughts go out to @REMSAHealth and the family, friends and first responder community dealing with this tragic loss. Our hearts are with you. pic.twitter.com/jEItuFQtd5

— Storey County (@StoreyCounty) February 25, 2023

We are deeply saddened to hear the news about the tragic accident late last night involving the loss of 5 souls on board. We extend our deepest sympathies to the loved ones of the victims lost and our colleagues at @REMSAHealth and Care Flight. 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/KeLA6ZCSDM

— Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue (@TMFPD) February 25, 2023

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