The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "helicopter" ...
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60 Minutes: Never Seen the Lie
The investigation details the Battle of Ganjgal, one of the most remarkable engagements of the war in Afghanistan. Not only was Corporal Dakota Meyer awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at Ganjgal, but two Army officers also received career-ending letters of reprimand. Their failures left Meyer and the rest of his unit without the artillery and helicopter support they desperately needed.
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Fatal Flights
The nation's medevac programs are dominated by private companies with stiff competition and widespread safety failings. The high rate of accidents in the medical helicopter field is due to entrenched complacency. The Post uproots the severe lack of safety in a field the public typically views as heroic.
Tags: medevac; helicopter; hospitals; safety; Washington Post; patient; rescue; Federal Aviation Administration; National Transportation Safety Board; deaths; crash; medical; flight; crew;
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CSAR-X: Rescue Chopper Requirements Sacrificed for Schedule and Rivalries
The U.S. Air Force violated its own procedures and guidelines to pick a new helicopter for its combat, search and rescue (CSAR-X) fleet. The Air Force chose an aircraft that did not meet the rescuer's requirements because it was settling old rivalries and arbitrary deadlines.
Tags: special operations command; army; armed forces; government accountability office; Pentagon Inspector General;
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Trauma in the Air: Victims Wait for Help
This investigation revealed that seriously injured trauma victims needlessly wait up to an extra half hour for help from New Jersey State Police medevac helicopters, when privately-operated medevac helicopters are just minutes away. This situation exists because of a three way battle between the state police, the state-run hospital system and private helicopters.
Tags: patient safety; hospitals; health; dispatchers; emergency care
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Air Ambulances
A Fort Worth physician who was a medical director for several local EMS units was also employed by a "for-profit air ambulance service." Under his direction the EMS units began using his company's helicopters, even when they weren't the closest ones to the scene.
Tags: medical; emergency; EMS; helicopters; air ambulance; politicians; patients; injuries;
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Rescues Gone Wrong
The reporters investigated an alarming increase in air ambulance crashes. The found that the accidents were cause by a fatal mix of pilot error, industry carelessness and poor government oversight.
Tags: air ambulance; emergency calls; helicopters; fatal accidents
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Right Place, Right Time -- Ohio's fledging trauma system saving lives
This investigation examines Ohio's 2-year old trauma law. It found that in general the law is effective, the state has more trauma centers than any other and patients are often directed to the ones best suited for their needs. The investigation also found that the law still has a way to go, and that medical helicopters are benefiting from the changes.
Tags: trauma; medicine; rural medicine; hospital; MedFlight; victims; medical reporting; health
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Dangerous Skies
This ongoing series reveals how continuing mechanical problems with both the Army's and Coast Guard's workhorse helicopters are putting pilots, crews and the public at risk. A newspaper data analysis showed that more than half of all Coast Guard aircraft accidents concerned one particular type of helicopter, which also had the most deadly and expensive accidents. In the Army, accidents involving its Apache helicopters have been more costly than any other aircraft over the past two years, with a third of the fleet grounded for maintenance at any given time.
Tags: military; Army; Coast Guard; Dolphin; Apache; helicopter; military aviation data; CAR; computer-assisted reporting
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"Rescuing Private Lynch (The Story Behind the Story)"
This investigation revealed that the Pentagon had exaggerated some of the details about the rescue of Private Lynch from Iraq. A helicopter pilot involved in the rescue contradicted earlier reports of a firefight, saying the rescue team found it pretty quiet around the hospital from where she was rescued. Furthermore, Iraqi doctors who treated Lynch said her injuries were likely caused by a traffic accident -- not a stabbing and shooting as earlier reported.
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Under-equipping the National Guard
This story deals with an inadequacy of the equipment in the Chinook helicopters. This story was published soon after one of these helicopters was gunned down in Iraq. The question that this reporter raises is whether the National Guard units are as prepared and have the same counter offenses as the Army. The story also reveals that 18 months before this incident the National Guard officials had noticed the dearth of essential equipment.
Tags: Chinook helicopter; Iraq war; National Guard; Army; inadequacy of equipment for soldiers; Illinois National Guard; Senator Dick Durbin