Fatal Flight: Investigating Mississippi Medical Helicopter Crash

On March 11, 2025, a devastating accident claimed the lives of three individuals: Dustin Pope, Jakob Kindt, and Cal Wesolowski. The medical helicopter, operated by AirCare, faced severe difficulties shortly after refueling at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Tragically, the helicopter crashed in Madison County, Mississippi, resulting in the loss of all passengers on board. We are representing Dustin Pope’s widow in this heartbreaking incident.

The Crash

As the helicopter flew over the Pearl River State Wildlife Management Area, it began to descend rapidly. In a desperate attempt to communicate, the flight nurse transmitted a chilling message to UMMC MED-COM:

“We’ve got a major problem. We are having an emergency landing in a field right now. Ops are not good. Controls are giving us a lot of trouble. Coming in fast.”

Tragically, no further transmissions were recorded.

The crash site, located approximately 1/4 mile southwest of the Turcotte Fish Hatchery, was engulfed in flames for three hours, leaving the wreckage destroyed and the community in mourning.

Dustin’s Journey & Commitment to Public Service

Dustin Pope started his public service career in 2010 as a student nurse at Anderson Regional Medical Center. He gained experience in the Critical Care Unit (CCU), Emergency Room (ER), telemetry, ICU, and ER at Neshoba General. Before joining AirCare in 2017, he worked at Rush Foundation Hospital, staffing critical access hospitals in Dekalb and Union. His diverse background prepared him for his goal of becoming a flight nurse with AirCare.

The Investigation

This investigation is not just about finding answers; it is about making sure such tragedies don’t happen again and that the affected families get the justice they deserve. We will work hard to support Dustin Pope and his family during this tough time. Our commitment to justice means carefully looking at every part of the incident, finding any mistakes, and helping put in place measures to prevent similar events in the future.