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Madison County, Mississippi — A devastating helicopter crash on Monday afternoon claimed the lives of three people when a medical transport aircraft went down in rural Madison County, north of the Ross Barnett Reservoir.

The University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) confirmed the crash in a statement, revealing that the aircraft involved was AirCare 3, a Columbus-based medical transport helicopter.

“Earlier this afternoon, AirCare 3, our Columbus-based medical transport helicopter, had an accident in rural Madison County, north of the Reservoir. Sadly, there were no survivors,” UMMC stated.

Crash Details and Victims

The helicopter was en route back to its base in Columbus, Mississippi, after completing a patient transport when it crashed around 12:30 p.m. on Monday.

Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs at UMMC, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy at a press conference, saying, “The entire Medical Center family is heartbroken over this.”

The helicopter was carrying three crew members—two medical personnel and the pilot—but no patients were on board at the time of the accident. Their identities have not yet been released.

Investigation Launched

In response to the crash, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced it is dispatching a go-team to the crash site to investigate the cause of the accident.

"The team is expected to arrive tomorrow," the NTSB stated on X (formerly Twitter).

A History of AirCare Service

UMMC’s AirCare program has long provided emergency medical air transport services across Mississippi, ensuring critically ill or injured patients receive rapid medical attention. The fleet, which includes multiple helicopters, plays a vital role in saving lives by transporting patients to trauma centers and hospitals.

This tragic accident has sent shockwaves through the medical community, with colleagues, first responders, and state officials mourning the loss of the dedicated crew members.

Next Steps

Authorities, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the NTSB, will thoroughly examine the wreckage and flight data to determine what led to the crash. Investigators will assess factors such as weather conditions, mechanical issues, and pilot experience to establish a cause.

UMMC has assured that it will provide full cooperation with investigators while also supporting the families of the victims during this difficult time.

More details will be released as the investigation progresses.