NTSB: Dead Goose Found in Downed Helicopter – Investigation Continues

1-802

February 6, 2024

The preliminary report of the downed medical helicopter that claimed three lives has been released by the National Transportation Safety Board.

According to the report, NTSB officials said a dead goose was found in part of the flight control system.

Despite the findings, the report did not state an official cause of the crash, saying that “a review of the U.S. Air Force’s Avian Hazard Advisory System found the probability of bird activity ‘low’ in the vicinity of the accident.”

However, the report also said that several geese carcasses were found at the debris field that is located just east of Hydro.

The NTSB also said that “all major components” of the helicopter were found at the crash site and were recovered.

The crash occurred just before 11:30 p.m. on January 20 when the helicopter was returning to it’s Weatherford base after dropping off a patient at an Oklahoma City area hospital.

Pilot Russell Haslam, Flight Nurse Adam Tebben and Flight Paramedic Steven Fitzgerald all perished in the crash.

The NTSB said the report on the probable cause of the crash could take up to two years to complete.

Copyright 2023 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.

2605081435_1254443

SWOSU Names Neparko Scholarship Recipients

Weatherford, OK – Four students at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) have received the Neparko Family Chemistry Scholarship for the 2025-2026 Academic Year. The Neparko Family Scholarship was established by Mary Neparko (’70) and the late Dr.

2605081000_1586683

Student Research from SWOSU Earns Recognition at SWAN

Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) students presented research at the 73rd Annual Meeting of the Southwestern Association of Naturalists, held April 23–26 in Tyler, Texas. The conference brings together biologists from across the southwestern

2605080942_1504803

SWOSU Names North Family Scholars

Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University’s (SWOSU) Rover Dawgs recently competed in NASA’s 2026 Human Exploration Rover Challenge (HERC), held at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The annual competition, sponsored by NASA’s