Incident happened shortly after takeoff from UC Davis
October 06, 2025 | Sacramento, CA
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A tragic medical helicopter crash occurred along Highway 50 near Stockton Boulevard, leaving three crew members with critical injuries, according to officials.
Nurse Susan “Suzie” Smith was one of the critically injured individuals in the Sacramento helicopter incident, reports indicate.
Susan “Suzie” Smith, a flight nurse, was critically injured when the Reach Air medical helicopter crashed onto Highway 50 in Sacramento.
What Happened in the Crash?
The helicopter crew consisted of a pilot, a paramedic, and nurse Susan Smith. Following the crash, all three were rushed to UC Davis Medical Center for specialized care.
Operated by REACH Air Medical Services, the Airbus EC130 T2 helicopter crashed soon after departing from UC Davis Medical Center around 7 p.m. This single-engine light utility aircraft has been operational since July 2021, based on Federal Aviation Administration data.
- Date: October 6, 2025
- Location: Along Highway 50 near Stockton Boulevard, Sacramento, CA
- Time: Approximately 7 p.m.
- Vehicle Involved: REACH Air Medical Services Airbus EC130 T2 helicopter
- Injuries: Three crew members critically injured and taken to UC Davis Medical Center
What Caused the Sacramento Helicopter Crash?
Officials are probing the incident's cause. The investigation will consider possible elements like pilot error, mechanical issues, or design flaws in the aircraft.
Why Do Helicopter Crashes Happen?
Helicopter incidents may stem from multiple causes, frequently involving interactions among human actions, equipment, and surroundings. Typical contributors include pilot mistakes, harsh weather, equipment malfunctions, and reduced visibility.
Helicopter Accident Statistics
In 2024, the United States Helicopter Safety Team documented 88 helicopter accidents across the nation, with 13 being fatal and resulting in 30 fatalities. Numerous survivors endure serious harms such as spinal breaks and multiple traumas, commonly needing ongoing medical attention and recovery support.
Below is a summary of 2024 helicopter accident data from the United States Helicopter Safety Team:
Metric |
Count |
Description |
|---|
Total Accidents |
88 |
Nationwide helicopter incidents |
Fatal Accidents |
13 |
Crashes leading to deaths |
Fatalities |
30 |
Lives lost in fatal crashes |
Data from the United States Helicopter Safety Team underscores the importance of improved aviation safety protocols.
Expert Insights
Newsline presents perspectives from national legal analysts to offer wider understanding of events like this helicopter crash.
"Helicopter crashes are often complex, and many factors can play a role in these types of accidents," said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal, a national legal analyst for Newsline. "In cases such as this, an attorney can advocate for a grieving family by hiring expert witnesses, locating witnesses to the crash, while working with the NTSB and other investigating agencies. Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide a family during this difficult time, protecting their legal rights and best interests."
- Key Takeaway: Skilled legal support is vital for managing probes and securing responsibility in intricate aviation mishaps.
"Injured victims involved in a collision often seek a personal injury claim to cover the cost of medical bills, future medical care, loss of income, emotional trauma, and pain and suffering," said Stefano Formica, Of Counsel with Bond Legal, a national legal analyst for Newsline. "Insurance companies can be notoriously unconcerned with the mounting costs that an injured party may accrue. An attorney can help. We protect the victims of these tragedies daily, forcing the insurance companies to pay for their mistakes."
- Key Takeaway: Personal injury actions can deliver necessary monetary aid for healing and extended care after such events.
These perspectives emphasize broad elements of helicopter crash scenarios without linking to particular individuals.
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Have you experienced a similar accident and need guidance? Contact national legal analyst Candice Bond at Newsline for a free, no-obligation consultation today.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).