The Vanderbilt medical community is mourning after a Vanderbilt LifeFlight helicopter crashed in a rural field Saturday afternoon, leaving one crew member dead and two others seriously injured. The aircraft went down in the 7100 block of Cairo Bend Road in Wilson County. No patient was on board at the time.
Authorities and Vanderbilt University Medical Center have confirmed that Allan Williams, RN, a Flight Nurse and Paramedic, died in the crash. Williams was a respected and experienced medical professional known for his dedication to critical care transport and to the patients he served in life-threatening emergencies.
Andrew “Andy” Sikes, a Critical Care Flight Paramedic, survived the crash but remains in critical condition. The helicopter’s pilot also suffered serious injuries. At the request of the pilot’s family, their name has not been released publicly.
Statement from Vanderbilt LifeFlight Leadership
Vanderbilt LifeFlight shared a statement acknowledging the tragedy and the longstanding commitment of its air medical team:
“For 41 years, through more than 80,000 flights and 40,000 ground transports, the remarkable members of the Vanderbilt LifeFlight team have saved countless lives.
Since inception, the program has highlighted safety as its most important priority.
Despite the inherent risk of this work, these dedicated individuals feel called to serve patients in their most vulnerable moments, critically injured or ill.
Yesterday, three crew members serving on LifeFlight 1 were involved in an accident when their aircraft went down in an unpopulated area in Wilson County, TN.
Allan Williams, RN, Flight Nurse/Paramedic, did not survive.
Andrew ‘Andy’ Sikes, Critical Care Flight Paramedic, and the aircraft’s pilot were seriously injured and remain in our care.
As we grieve with Allan’s family, I ask you to please join me in support of them as well as Andy, the pilot, and their families.”
— Dr. Jane Freedman, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Health System Officer
Investigation Underway
Both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the cause of the crash. The helicopter came down in an open, unpopulated area, and no one on the ground was injured.
No additional details regarding circumstances leading up to the crash have been released.
Remembering Those Who Serve
The tragedy underscores the dangers that medical flight crews face as they respond to emergencies across Tennessee and beyond. Vanderbilt LifeFlight crews are among the most highly trained specialists in the region, often responding to severe trauma scenes, rural medical emergencies, and interfacility transfers where every minute counts.
