Air Methods Petitions NTSB for Reconsideration of Probable Cause Determination

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DENVER, June 29, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- AIRM | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Air Methods Corporation (Nasdaq: AIRM), the largest air medical transportation company in the world, announced today it has filed a petition with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) requesting the Board reconsider/modify its probable cause determination related to the June 29, 2008 mid-air collision accident in Flagstaff, Arizona. The NTSB Probable Cause Report states that "both pilots failed to see and avoid the other helicopter on approach to the helipad".

Specifically, Air Methods' petition seeks the following of the NTSB [Board]:

    1. Reconsideration and deletion of the Board's finding that a
       contributing cause in the accident was "the failure of Air
       Methods' pilot to follow arrival and noise abatement
       guidelines;"
    2. The addition, as a contributing cause, the presence of prescription
       pain-killing medication in the Classic pilot's blood that could
       influence decisions or performance; and
    3. The addition, as a contributing cause, of the failure of the Classic
       communications center to communicate pertinent information to the Classic
       aircraft regarding the fact that Air Methods' aircraft was inbound
       to Flagstaff Medical Center (FMC) with the same estimated time of arrival
       as the Classic aircraft.

Aaron Todd, CEO, stated, "Air Methods has filed a petition with the NTSB requesting that the Board reconsider/modify the probable cause/contributing cause determination of this accident. We are deeply troubled by what we consider to be critical inaccuracies in the NTSB current Probable Cause Report and the inconsistencies between the findings in this case versus previous cases."

Air Methods Corporation (www.airmethods.com) is a leader in emergency air medical transportation and medical services. The Hospital-Based Services Division is the largest provider of air medical transport services for hospitals. The Community-Based Services Division is the largest community-based provider of air medical services. The Products Division specializes in the design and manufacture of aeromedical and aerospace technology. The Company's fleet of owned, leased or maintained aircraft features over 300 helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.

Forward Looking Statements: This news release includes certain forward-looking statements, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors, including but not limited to the size, structure and growth of the Company's air medical services and products markets; the collection rates for patient transports; the continuation and/or renewal of air medical service contracts; the acquisition of profitable Products Division contracts and other flight service operations; the successful expansion of the community-based operations; and other matters set forth in the Company's public filings.

CONTACTS: Aaron D. Todd, Chief Executive Officer, (303) 792-7413. Please contact Christine Clarke at (303) 792-7579 to be included on the Company's fax and/or mailing list.

SOURCE Air Methods Corporation

http://www.airmethods.com

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