![]() Mercy Flight provides airlifts and other transportation for medical emergencies in the Western New York area. Celebrating his final military flight in 2020 were his wife, Marie, daughter Laura Ames, four grandchildren and other family members, according to the National Guard article, which said Sauer's son, Josh, was serving in the Air Force Reserve's 914th Air Refueling Wing in Niagara Falls. Sauer left active duty in 1993 and entered the New York Army National Guard in 1995. He had been deployed to Somalia, the Horn of Africa and Latin and South America, according to the National Guard. He later was assigned to Fort Drum as an assault helicopter pilot with the 10th Mountain Division. He joined the Army in 1979, graduated from Warrant Officer Flight School in 1987 as a UH-60 Black Hawk pilot and was a medical evacuation pilot in South Korea. Sauer, a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, retired as New York Army National Guard chief warrant officer 4 in 2020 after 40 years in the military, according to an article on the National Guard website. "All of us at Bell are extremely saddened to hear the news of the accident that resulted in the loss of two pilots, including one of our Bell teammates," Bell spokesperson Lindsey Hughes said. In a statement, Bell Helicopter said it was unable to answer questions or share information at this time, out of respect for the privacy of the families involved. State Police Major Eugene Staniszewski said the helicopter appeared to have struck power lines as it descended, but that authorities don't believe that was the cause of the crash. We will provide additional information as it becomes Investigation teams are responding to the scene. FAA, NTSB, Bell Helicopter and Underwriter Accident The cause of the accident has not be determined. The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are working with state police to determine the cause of the crash north of the intersection of Norton and Edgerton roads, close to Route 262. "This is a very dark day for the Mercy Flight family, we are so grateful for the expressions of love, concern and support expressed by many." ![]() "It goes without saying that our attention needs to be focused on the families of those lost and on our own employees as we deal with this unspeakable tragedy," Mercy Flight president Margaret Ferrentino said in a statement. Sauer, a retired New York State Police pilot, began working with Mercy Flight in October 2020. In a statement, Mercy Flight said the accident occurred during its annual Bell Helicopter factory training. The helicopter had taken off from the Genesee County Airport about four miles away, where Mercy Flight bases some of its aircraft. Sauer, a retired NYS Police Pilot, began working with Mercy Flight in October 2020. Mercy Flight Pilot James Sauer and a Bell Helicopter Flight Instructor perished in the accident.
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