Mercy Flight helicopter makes hard landing in Canandaigua; Occupants out safely

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. — A Mercy Flight helicopter made a hard landing near the Canandaigua Airport Thursday night, the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office confirmed.

Deputies report that all three occupants exited the helicopter safely. There were no patients on board, according to a statement from Mercy Flight Central.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, the preliminary investigation shows the helicopter was returning from a call and suffered a malfunction at 8:07 p.m., causing a hard landing at Mercy Flight’s facility next to the airport on Brickyard Road in Canandaigua.

New York State Police and Canandaigua Fire and EMS assisted. The investigation is continuing.

Mercy Flight Central issued the following statement Thursday night:

“At approximately 8:03 p.m. on September 19, 2024, one of Mercy Flight Central’s AW119MKII aircraft experienced a hard landing returning to base on Brickyard Road in Canandaigua. Upon landing, the three personnel on board, a pilot and Flight Nurse and Flight Paramedic safely exited the aircraft. Thankfully, no one was injured, and everyone is safe. A patient was not on board. At this time, we do not have any information on what caused the hard landing. We will begin our investigation and provide updates as they are available. We are immensely grateful for the emergency response tonight and for the entire community’s concern for the well-being of Mercy Flight Central.”