An investigation is under way after an air ambulance “ditched” into a loch in the Highlands. The Scottish Ambulance Service said the aircraft had to make a “safe but unexpected” landing in Loch Torridon on Thursday due to local weather conditions. There was no patient on board, and the pilot and crew are said to be safe and well.
Investigation Launched
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said it has sent a team to investigate the incident involving an EC145 helicopter that “ditched into Loch Torridon and subsequently recovered to dry land” on Thursday. A multi-disciplinary team including inspectors with expertise in aircraft operations, engineering, and recorded data have been deployed to gather evidence and make inquiries.
Scottish Ambulance Service Statement
A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “Whilst en-route to an emergency call in Applecross, one of our helicopters had to make a safe but unexpected landing in Torridon due to local weather conditions. There was no patient on board, and the pilot and SAS crew are safe and well. A Basics Scotland doctor was dispatched to the emergency call in Applecross and remained with the patient until an ambulance arrived.”
The incident occurred at Loch Torridon, a sea loch in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland. The AAIB has commenced its investigation, with inspectors focusing on operational and technical aspects of the flight. No further details have been released at this time.
