Tuesday, October 2, 2007

** Hawaii air ambulance crash blamed on pilot error

** New South Wales medics’ overtime rates continue to climb

UNITED STATES NEWS

** The 2006 crash of a Hawaii air ambulance resulted from pilot error. That is the word from the Honolulu Star Bulletin (October 1) which said the March 8 mishap occurred after pilot Peter Miller, 32, dropped his airspeed to an uncontrollable level following the failure of one engine. The Cessna 414A then plunged into a Kahului car dealership parking lot, killing all on board. Along with Miller, paramedic Marlena Yomes, 39, was also killed in the accident, as was flight nurse Brien Eisamen, 37. The plane had been en route from Honolulu Airport to Kahului Airport for a patient pick-up at the time.

AUSTRALIA NEWS

** New South Wales ambulance officers continue to rack up ridiculous overtime hours. Perth Now (October 1) said the medics’ service spent $100 million on paying for the time during the last financial year. According to the newspaper, the figure translates into 830,247 hours. During 2003/04, the number sat at 518,817. ER crunches were primarily blamed for the over runs.