The contract for leasing aerial means and acquiring services for operation, permanent airworthiness management, and aircraft maintenance, established with the operator Avincis, stipulates that the aircraft should be replaced within 24 hours. So far, this replacement has not occurred,” INEM (National Institute of Medical Emergency) stated in a press release, adding that they are in contact with the operator to restore the emergency service “as soon as possible.”
The accident occurred at 12:55 PM on Monday, as the AW139 aircraft – based in Macedo de Cavaleiros – was preparing to land in Mondim de Basto to assist an injured person in a work accident at a quarry.
On board were four crew members – pilot, co-pilot, doctor, and nurse – who, according to information provided after the accident by INEM, were transported to Vila Real Hospital as a precaution and have already been discharged.
“As it is not possible to replace the aircraft immediately, INEM has requested the operator to ensure the placement of pilot teams in Viseu, in order to operationalize the functioning of that helicopter during the night period, and is awaiting a response,” the statement also reads.
The medical emergency system contracted between INEM and Avincis consists of two helicopters operating 24-hour shifts – from the bases in Macedo de Cavaleiros and Loulé – and two other helicopters on 12-hour shifts, based in Viseu and Évora. With this accident, helicopter rescue is reduced to three aircraft and only one on a permanent basis, solely in the southern region of the country.
