April 27, 2022
From State Police Batavia:
On April 26, 2022 at approximately 1:00 P.M., Troopers out of SP Batavia responded to a Mercy Flight Helicopter crash off Norton Road between Edgerton Road and Ford Road in the town of Elba, Genesee County. Further investigation revealed that the Mercy Flight Bell 429 helicopter based out of Batavia, NY was on a training mission during the time of the collision. Mercy Flight pilot, James E. Sauer, 60 of Churchville, NY a retired New York State Police civilian pilot and a Bell Helicopter employee/pilot Stewart M. Dietrick, 60 of Prosper, TX were pronounced deceased at the scene. Both have been transported to Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will be assisting in this investigation.
The NYSP Forensic Identification Unit, Collision Reconstruction Unit, Bureau of Criminal Investigation, NYS DEC, Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, Batavia Fire Department, Elba Fire Department assisted in this investigation.
This is still an ongoing investigation.
