EMS Helo Loses Engine Power

A Bell 222 flying a patient from western Minnesota to the Twin Cities lost power in one of its two engines and made an emergency landing about 35 mi short of its destination. Fargo-based MeritCare helicopter began its flight in Fergus Falls, Minn. and made the emergency landing at the airport in Buffalo, Minn., late Sunday afternoon. According to Dan Ehlen, program director and certified medical transport executive, “the helicopter performed a single-engine run on landing” and landed without incident. The patient was driven by ambulance to the Hennepin County Medical Center in downtown Minneapolis where MeritCare continued care. Reason for the engine failure is under investigation. MeritCare also operates a Bell 206 and covers a 250 mi radius from Fargo, N.Dak. According to Ehlen, this is the company’s first incidence since they began operating in 1984.