Dustin Pope, Jakob Kindt, and Cal Wesolowski die in fatal Madison County helicopter crash
Fatal Madison County helicopter crash death of Dustin Pope, Jakob Kindt, and Cal Wesolowski – Obituary
A tragic medical helicopter crash in Madison County, Mississippi, claimed the lives of three crew members on Monday. The victims were identified as Dustin Pope, 35, of Philadelphia; Jakob Kindt, 37, of Tupelo; and Cal Wesolowski, 62, of Starkville.
The helicopter, which had recently refueled at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, went down in a wooded area south of the Natchez Trace and north of Pipeline Road around 12:30 p.m. Officials stated that the aircraft reported power loss before crashing. No patients were aboard at the time.
Pope and Kindt were crew members, with Pope serving as a flight nurse and base supervisor for AirCare in Columbus, while Kindt worked as a critical care paramedic. Both had been with UMMC since August 14, 2017. Wesolowski was a pilot employed by Med-Trans Corporation.
At a press conference, Lou Ann Woodward, UMMC’s vice chancellor of Health Affairs, expressed the hospital community’s grief, stating that the entire medical center family was devastated by the loss. She also noted that this was the first crash in the 29-year history of the AirCare emergency service.
Federal authorities, including the FAA and NTSB, have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident. During a site visit on Tuesday, investigators observed rotor impact marks on trees, suggesting the aircraft struck vegetation before hitting the ground. The crash site, located in a muddy area with standing water, required ATVs for access, and it took several hours to extinguish the resulting fire.
Tributes poured in for the victims, particularly Pope and Kindt. Pope, who was also involved in real estate, was remembered as a devoted family man and a passionate lifesaver. His employer, Mossy Oak Properties Bottomland Real Estate, released a statement honoring his dedication to helping others. Kindt’s friends and colleagues took to social media to share heartfelt messages, describing him as a compassionate and skilled professional who loved his work.
Wesolowski’s family details were not immediately available.
UMMC officials explained that the helicopter involved in the crash, known as AirCare3, had completed a patient transport to UMMC and was returning to its base when the incident occurred. The medical transport program operates four helicopters stationed in different Mississippi locations, playing a critical role in emergency medical services.
Authorities continue to investigate the exact cause of the crash as the community mourns the loss of these dedicated professionals.
