No Cause Determined In 2022 Delco Helicopter Crash: NTSB

DREXEL HILL, PA — Nearly two years ago, a helicopter heading to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia crashed in Delaware County as it was transporting a 2-month-old patient.

Miraculously, only the pilot was injured in the crash.

But despite two years of investigation, federal officials were unable to determine the exact cause of the crash.

According to the crash's final report by the National Transportation Safety Board, no definitive cause for the crash was found throughout the investigation.

See the full final report here.

The crash occurred at about 12:46 p.m. Jan. 11, 2022 in the yard of Drexel Hill United Methodist Church at Burmont Road and Bloomfield Avenue in Drexel Hill.

A Eurocopter EC-135 piloted by Danial Moore was heading to CHOP from Chambersburg. In addition to Moore and the patient, a medic and in-flight nurse were on board.

The helicopter was about 10 minutes away from landing at CHOP when it crashed.

Moore, the nurse, and medic heard a loud bang.

The medic told investigators the helicopter banked hard right and began rolling.

A witness familiar with aviation and helicopters told the NTSB that the helicopter's sound was unfamiliar to him and that the aircraft was flying much lower than other helicopters that fly in the area.

The medic and nurse secured themselves, as well as the young patient, the aircraft was leveled, and all braced for impact.

Moore was the only person on board seriously injured, suffering broken ribs, broken vertebrae, and a cracked sternum. Moore also managed to bring the aircraft down without causing property damage.