FAA Investigating Medflight Pilot Who ‘Fell Asleep’ During Flight

BOSTON — The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a Boston based med-flight helicopter pilot who allegedly fell asleep behind the controls while transporting a patient from Martha’s Vineyard.

Multiple media outlets are reporting that the FAA is investigating whether a pilot “fell asleep at the controls of a helicopter while conducting a flight to a Boston hospital from Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts on June 24.”

Boston MedFlight says the pilot overflew the designated helipad and determined that fatigue to be a factor. No injuries were reported in the incident and the pilot has been terminated.

On its website, Boston Medflight says it “commits to excellence in patient care by providing the highest quality critical care transport system in the region.” The website also says the nonprofit organization flies approximately 1,842 helicopter critical care transport missions per year—an average of 5 flights a day.

Each helicopter always carries a minimum of three crew members, including a pilot, critical care transport nurse and a paramedic. The helicopters can transport up to two patients per flight.

Boston MedFlight operates three of the four helicopters based in Massachusetts. They are located at our facilities at Hanscom Field, Plymouth Municipal Airport and Lawrence Municipal Airport.

Boston Medflight services the SouthCoast during emergencies requiring a medical transport to Boston.