“Contrary to what was announced, the operator informed INEM today that the pilot who was scheduled to start the shift at 8:00 PM reported that he would be absent due to illness, and it was not possible to replace him in a timely manner,” the institute said in a statement.
On Thursday, INEM announced that, according to the emergency medical helicopter service operator, Avincis, it would be possible to place pilot teams in Viseu starting today to ensure 24-hour operation of the emergency medical helicopter based there.
This measure aimed to provide an additional helicopter during nighttime hours until full service restoration in Macedo de Cavaleiros, which is expected to happen next Monday, according to Avincis, the institute added.
INEM expects to have an emergency medical helicopter at the Macedo de Cavaleiros base starting Monday, a week after the aircraft accident in the municipality of Mondim de Basto.
The institute had stated that the helicopter would be available to operate 24 hours a day and that, during the next few days, this hourly coverage would be ensured from the Viseu base, with an increase in the number of pilots.
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 by INEM after the accident, were transported to Vila Real Hospital as a precaution and have since been discharged.
The emergency medical device contracted between INEM and Avincis consists of two helicopters operating 24-hour shifts – from the Macedo de Cavaleiros and Loulé bases – and two other helicopters on 12-hour shifts, based in Viseu and Évora.
With this accident, INEM’s helicopter rescue service was reduced to three aircraft, with only one operating on a permanent basis, solely in the southern region of the country.
