REACH Air medical (CALSTAR partner) crash in Sacramento Oct 6 2025

[NorCalBusa]

In stunning news, the REACH medial helicopter from Redding had just delivered its' patient at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, close to Hwy 99/Hwy 50. It launched and in less than a minute or two- crashed on Hwy 50 with three crew members on board (pilot, nurse, paramedic). All remain in critical condition 24 hrs later.

An off duty firefighter witnessed the crash and got a dozen other bystanders to help lift the helicopter so a crew member could be extracted from underneath it. Folks jumped right in and got it done.

I dropped by CALSTAR 2 base in Gilroy this morning and things were pretty somber. No real news we haven't heard/seen on TV. There's video of the descent and after-crash on social media, doesn't serve to post them here. Please keep the crews in your thoughts and prayers- they need some good juju to be sure.

If you have an AirMedCare Membership- this is your provider company.

 

[NorCalBusa]

All three Crew are still in critical condition, in UCD Med Ctr.

 

[ikeo1]

In stunning news, the REACH medial helicopter from Redding had just delivered its' patient at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, close to Hwy 99/Hwy 50. It launched and in less than a minute or two- crashed on Hwy 50 with three crew members on board (pilot, nurse, paramedic). All remain in critical condition 24 hrs later.

An off duty firefighter witnessed the crash and got a dozen other bystanders to help lift the helicopter so a crew member could be extracted from underneath it. Folks jumped right in and got it done.

I dropped by CALSTAR 2 base in Gilroy this morning and things were pretty somber. No real news we haven't heard/seen on TV. There's video of the descent and after-crash on social media, doesn't serve to post them here. Please keep the crews in your thoughts and prayers- they need some good juju to be sure.

If you have an AirMedCare Membership- this is your provider company.

Hope they make it… Sending prayers their way

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[ef9boy88]

From the video it looked almost like a hydraulics issue. Hope they all pull through.

 

[Hamburger Monster]

From the video it looked almost like a hydraulics issue. Hope they all pull through.

I heard somewhere it was the transmission gave out. In the video mentioned above, you can hear a clunk or noise that would make since if it was something like a gear or shaft breaking

Also, from the photos and videos I've seen. It almost looks like it hit the sloped embankment and then rolled down onto the freeway

The video cuts away just in time to see the actual crash. Then pans back to see it on the ground.

 

[NorCalBusa]

REACH press release a few minutes ago;

Our team members remain hospitalized, and we want to assure everyone that they are receiving the very best care. We know this is a difficult time for their families, friends, and colleagues, and our thoughts are with them as we hope for healing and recovery.
The individuals involved are:
• Pilot Chad Millward, who is in critical yet stable condition;
• Flight Paramedic Margaret "DeDe" Davis, who is likewise critical but stable; and
• Flight Nurse Susan "Suzie" Smith, who remains in critical and unstable condition.
On behalf of our crew, their families and REACH, we extend heartfelt thanks to the bystanders who helped during their rescue. We deeply appreciate those who became first responders by supporting our flight crews during their time of need and showed exceptional courage during this crucial moment.
Regarding the accident itself, it is standard aviation protocol for all inquiries to be handled directly by the NTSB. This is essential to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation, and therefore we encourage all questions related to the incident to be directed to them.

 

[NorCalBusa]

Pilot Chad Millward has a distinguished 24 year career at CHP, prior to coming to REACH.

Yeah, he won awards while flying for CHP:

 

[ef9boy88]

I heard somewhere it was the transmission gave out. In the video mentioned above, you can hear a clunk or noise that would make since if it was something like a gear or shaft breaking

Also, from the photos and videos I've seen. It almost looks like it hit the sloped embankment and then rolled down onto the freeway

The video cuts away just in time to see the actual crash. Then pans back to see it on the ground.

Found a different angle. They in fact hit then embankment and rolled. Seems like they were already in the autorotation when the videos started.

 

[NorCalBusa]

Yesterday's update:
Our team members remain hospitalized, and we want to assure everyone that they are receiving the very best care. We know this is a difficult time for their families, friends, and colleagues, and our thoughts are with them as we hope for healing and recovery.
The individuals involved are:
• Pilot Chad Millward, who is in critical yet stable condition;
• Flight Paramedic Margaret "DeDe" Davis, who is likewise critical but stable; and
• Flight Nurse Susan "Suzie" Smith, who remains in critical and unstable condition.
On behalf of our crew, their families and REACH, we extend heartfelt thanks to the bystanders who helped during their rescue. We deeply appreciate those who became first responders by supporting our flight crews during their time of need and showed exceptional courage during this crucial moment.

 

[NorCalBusa]

Nurse Suzie Smith passed away this morning.

 

[cali_jazz]

And another helicopter crashed in Huntington Beach on Saturday, looks like the rear rotor failed.

5 hospitalized, 2 on the 'copter, 3 on the ground.

https://ktla.com/news/local-news/3-hospitalized-after-helicopter-crash-in-huntington-beach/

 

[cali_jazz]

Nurse Suzie Smith passed away this morning.

This is HORRIBLE news, she was amazing. My daughter is a new nurse so this really hits close to home. Hug your loved ones, tell them you love them every day.

 

[micpib1]

As a retired Paramedic and CEO of our small ambulance company in Northern California, I had the privilege of interacting with Susie through patient care and learning from her during medical training sessions. She was an amazing human being and a great Nurse who presented both compassion and skill. She was always preparing for "her next mission trip," wanting to serve others. This world lost a great one, and heaven gained a very loved and blessed person. JH

 

[NorCalBusa]

A paramedic injured in this month’s air ambulance helicopter crash on Highway 50 in East Sacramento has been transferred from UC Davis Medical Center to an inpatient rehabilitation facility as she continues her recovery.

Margaret “DeDe” Davis, 66, was one of three crew members aboard the Reach Air Medical Services helicopter that went down Oct. 6 shortly after takeoff from UC Davis Medical Center. Sacramento Fire Department officials said some of their members met with Davis this week to wish her well before her move to an acute rehabilitation center closer to home in the Redding area. Global Medical Response, the parent company of Reach, said in a statement Friday night that Davis — who had served in the Marines and Navy and was a volunteer firefighter — had been discharged from the hospital and “has begun the next important phase of her journey to recovery.”

The pilot, 60-year-old Chad Millward, who was a retired CHP officer, remains in the intensive care unit but is in stable condition, according to the company.