Carrying victims of a traffic accident, a medical helicopter crashed in a suburban Washington park, killing four of the five people on board, in one of the deadliest accidents involving medical helicopters, since the State Police began these missions 40-years ago. 

Veteran pilot - Stephen Bunker, 59; flight paramedic - Mickey Lippy, 34; county emergency medical technician - Tanya Mallard, 39; and Ashley Younger - one of the traffic accident victims died in the crash that took place on Sunday. 

Jordan Wells, an 18-year-old woman injured in the traffic accident that took place in Charles Country, survived the helicopter crash and is in critical condition at a hospital.

According to authorities, this is the eighth fatal medical helicopter crash nationwide in the last 12-months, in what is a growing list of air ambulance crashes.  However, the free of cost state-run programme in Maryland is known for its safety record, having had only three fatal helicopter crashes in four decades.

On a 25-mile trip from the traffic accident to the hospital, the helicopter was diverted to Andrews Air Force Base due to bad weather.  The pilot having difficulty assessing his surroundings radioed for assistance in landing, the last air traffic controllers heard from him.

Investigating the cause of crash, NTSB and the Federal Aviation Administration will also be holding a public hearing regarding the recent increase in medical helicopter accidents.  A 2006 federal investigation found 55- air ambulance accidents took place from 2002 to 2005, leading it to recommend higher standards for medical aircraft and stringent decision-making for flying in bad weather.

Recent state legislative audits blamed the police agency for failure to document maintenance needs and costs for its fleet of 12 twin-engine helicopters.  All State Police flights have been grounded till the cause of the crash is determined.  Meantime, other states and private companies will cover Maryland.