At a Glance
- Flight paramedic Andrew Sikes took over the controls after the pilot suffered a medical emergency mid-air
- The LifeFlight helicopter crashed near Lebanon, Tennessee, on Nov. 8, 2025, killing flight nurse Allan Williams
- Despite no prior flight experience, Sikes stabilized the aircraft before it struck trees and hit the ground
- Why it matters: The NTSB preliminary report reveals how quick actions in crisis can alter outcomes, even for non-pilots
A newly released preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) details how a flight paramedic with no flying experience attempted to save a LifeFlight helicopter after its pilot became incapacitated, resulting in one death and two serious injuries.
The incident occurred on Nov. 8, 2025, around 1:41 p.m. local time near Lebanon, Tennessee. The aircraft, operated by Air Methods LLC, was providing services for Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital in Nashville.
The Flight
LifeFlight1 departed from Gallatin, Tennessee, at 1:34 p.m. carrying:
- One pilot
- One flight nurse
- Flight paramedic Andrew Sikes
Just three minutes after takeoff, AIRCOM informed the crew their call had been canceled. The pilot turned the helicopter back toward Gallatin.
Medical Emergency
At 1:39 p.m., AIRCOM received a radio transmission from Sikes: “Aircom…LF1…we have a medical emergency onboard with our pilot…uh were gonna…we will advise.” No further communications followed.
In his post-accident interview, Sikes told investigators he noticed the pilot stopped moving after turning the aircraft around. When he tapped the pilot’s shoulder, he saw a “complete blank stare.”
Split-Second Decision
With the autopilot disengaged and the helicopter moving too fast, Sikes removed his restraints and moved to the front. Though he’d never touched flight controls before – and wasn’t allowed to – he attempted to slow the aircraft.
“The flight paramedic had never touched a cyclic control stick in flight before, as they were not allowed to, but from watching pilots’ hands in flight, he knew that small inputs would result in small reactions, and he needed a large reaction,” the report states.
Sikes managed to stabilize the helicopter temporarily. Spotting a bright yellow field ahead, he tried to steer toward it for an emergency landing.
The Crash
While leaning over the console to control the aircraft, the helicopter clipped tree tops before impact. At 10-20 feet above ground, Sikes executed a hard flare, and the helicopter struck the ground.
The aircraft rolled onto its left side upon impact. Key findings from the wreckage:
- All major components remained intact
- Crew and passenger compartment survived largely intact
- Tailboom bent downward
- No pre-impact mechanical malfunctions detected
Aftermath
AIRCOM initiated its post-accident response plan after determining the helicopter landed in an “unplanned” location.
Allan Williams, a 55-year-old flight nurse with 15 years of service at VUMC, died in the crash. Williams was remembered as a devoted husband, father, and friend.
Both Sikes and the pilot sustained serious injuries but survived.
Key Takeaways
- A non-pilot crew member successfully prevented total disaster through observation and quick action
- The NTSB found no mechanical failures contributed to the crash
- The incident highlights the risks medical flight crews face during emergency transports
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center lost a veteran team member in the accident
