MAHANY PATRICK E

CW2 Patrick E. Mahany was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 07/03/2015 at the age of 64.6 from A/C accident
Golden, CO
Flight Classes 70-45 and 70-47
Date of Birth 12/08/1950
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with DIV ARTY AMERICAL in 71, D/229 AHB 1 CAV in 71-72
Call signs in Vietnam PHOENIX 9, TIGER 13
This information was provided by TV Coverage, Sammie Williams

More detail on this person: Flight for Life Helicopter Crashes in Colorado, Killing Pilot by PHIL HELSEL

A pilot was killed and two others were injured after a medical helicopter crashed outside of a Colorado hospital and burst into flames Friday, officials said.

There were no patients on board the Flight for Life Colorado helicopter, said Christina Brodsly, spokesperson for medical transportation company Air Methods. A flight paramedic and flight nurse on board were also injured, she said.

Lake Dillon Fire officials battle a fire after a medical helicopter crashed outside of a hospital in Frisco, Colorado, Friday. The pilot was killed and a paramedic and nurse were injured, officials said. Lake Dillon Fire-Rescue "We are deeply saddened by the news that our pilot was fatally injured, and our hearts go out to the pilot's family," Brodsly said.

The Airbus AS350 helicopter was taking off from St. Anthony Summit Medical Center in Frisco when it crashed at around 1:40 p.m. local time (3:40 p.m. E.T.), landing in the parking lot of the hospital, officials and witnesses said.

The helicopter was not on a medical call when the crash occurred, Lake Dillon Fire-Rescue said.

Lake Dillon Fire-Rescue said the aircraft was "fully engulfed in flames" when firefighters arrived. A witness told NBC affiliate KUSA that the helicopter appeared to be taking off in windy conditions when it spiraled out of control and crashed.

The pilot killed in the crash was identified as Patrick Mahany, 64. He had been a pilot for Flight for Life since 1987, and was a Vietnam veteran who received the bronze star and purple heart, Summit County government said in a news release.

The names of the two people injured were not released. The two crew members were airlifted to hospitals in the Denver area, the fire department said. A hospital worker who responded to the fiery crash also suffered minor injuries. The fire also destroyed two vehicles in the parking lot, Lake Dillon Fire-Rescue said.

The National Transportation Safety Board said it is investigating the crash. The Federal Aviation Administration also sent a team of investigators to the crash scene, the fire department said.

Frisco is a town of a little more than 2,600 about 70 miles west of Denver.

Patrick Edwin Mahany, Jr. was born on December 8th, 1950 in Hornell, New York. First born son to Patrick Edwin Mahany, Sr. and Phyllis Isabelle Milliard, he was the eldest of five siblings: Timothy (deceased), Sean, Michelle and Kevin. Patrick is survived by wife Karen and three children, Kathleen Celeste, Shawna Suzanne, and son Ryan Patrick. Patrick was a proud grandfather to Maxwell Allen, McKenzie Anne, Michael Ryan, Jackson Ryan, Grayson Sean, and great-grandfather to Matthew Allen.

Patrick grew up on the family's potato farm in Arkport, New York. He worked on the farm with his father, coached his brother's little league, and competed in horse competitions with the family's quarter horses and thoroughbreds. Patrick was known in and around Arkport as Patty, and was also known for continuously getting into mischief with his brothers. He graduated high school from Arkport Central School in 1968 where he played soccer and was named most valuable player. Patrick enjoyed his sports cars and rotated through many of them including a Ford Falcon convertible and an MGB. He bought his first Corvette off the showroom floor after he returned from Vietnam in 1972. Though he was much older than the younger ones, his siblings remember him as a loyal and loving brother who stood up to bullies and always brought fun, laughter, and light to family gatherings.

He had a zest for life and did all of his activities, whether it was hiking, skiing, water skiing, soccer, watching the Denver Broncos, and driving his sports cars with passion and exuberance.

Knowing he would be drafted into the military, Patrick joined the Army in 1969 and was in classes 70-45 and 70-47. He graduated flight school in 1970. He served one tour in Vietnam from April 1970 to April 1971 where he flew 1200 combat hours. He originally flew for DIV ARTY Americal and D/229 AHB 1 CAV under the call sign(s) PHOENIX 9 and TIGER 13. He was shot down three times and earned a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. Once he returned from combat, he was stationed in Fort Knox until getting out of the military in 1974, and then joined again in 1975 for three years. He once landed his helicopter on the farm in New York in exchange for 100 pound sack of potatoes for his commander. Always coming back home to visit his parents, Patrick is a member of the Arkport American Legion to this day.

After his military career, Patrick worked a variety of flying jobs including private and personal pilot, flew men and equipment to offshore oil rigs in Gulf of Mexico, fought fires in California and Arizona, long lines school in Washington in 1981, transported oil explorers and scientists in Alaska, the Forest Service in Moab, Utah, Life Flight for Rocky Mountain Helicopters in Florida. He joined Flight for Life in June 1987 until September 1998, took a short break and returned December 1999 to present. He was based out of St. Anthony's North in Westminster from 1987 until moving to St. Anthony Summit Medical Center in Frisco, Colorado in 2004.

Patrick served as the Base Manager, the Program Safety Officer, and a member of the Hospital Safety Committee. He was instrumental in bringing night vision goggles to the flight program and getting them approved by FAA to make night flying safer for himself and the crew. He knew that the safety of the crew ensured the safety of those they were transporting in the many critical situations they were asked to fly in. Above all, Patrick served his crew members and colleagues in any capacity he could and fought hard for their voices to be heard and their needs to be met.

He embodied the spirit of service to others, whether it be his crew and colleagues, whom he greatly loved, or the people he and his crew worked to save daily. At any given time, Patrick could be found watching weather reports and DTC updates for road conditions to be prepared for any critical situation. He was not only a skilled pilot from years of experience, but was also a trusted one with each crew member who had full confidence in his skill and abilities.

Outside of work and hospital committee duties, Patrick was elected Vice President of Local 109 Pilot's Union and worked tirelessly to speak on behalf of the pilots and represent their needs to Air Methods. He was also an active member of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association where he attended large and small gatherings of his combat brethren as well as an active member of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the VHPA. Patrick was an extremely proud Veteran and was adamant for Veteran's rights and benefits.

Patrick's legacy of flying lives on with his son, Ryan, a Blackhawk pilot for the U.S. Army. Patrick was an accomplished pilot with 45 years of flying experience and wisdom he humbly imparted, but only when asked. Ryan's Army Aviation buddies saddled up to Patrick on a number of occasions, bourbon in hand, asking questions about his career. He imparted valuable wisdom to his son and his buddies by opening up his home and heart, and of course taught them a few songs from Vietnam.

Patrick selflessly gave his love to his family and friends. People describe his presence when he entered a room, though they likely heard his booming voice first, and he always brought a vibrant and contagious joy that set everyone at ease. His gregarious and boisterous personality left an impression on everyone he met, even for a moment. His mustache was most memorable and distinguished, along with his ever present Flight for Life or Denver Broncos cap.

He was a beloved husband of 12 years to Karen Sue Tullberg Mahany. They fell deeply in love and married on June 22nd, 2003. They parented their four dogs and enjoyed taking them on daily hikes in the mountains of Summit County. They enjoyed traveling in the RV to Lake of the Ozarks or visiting family, and getting out on the boat in the summer months. Above all, Patrick was a friend to many and hero to all.

"No greater love hath a man, than to lay down his life for a friend." John 15:13

Funeral Mass, Fri., 10:00 AM, Dillon Amphitheater, Dillon. A reception to follow service at Copper Mountain Resort. In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to the Frisco Helicopter Donation Fund, c/o Wells Fargo Bank, P.O. Box 4340, Frisco CO 80443, acct. #6307517174 or the Patrick Mahany Memorial Fund via youcaring.com. Share condolences at HoranCares.com

This information was last updated 05/18/2016

Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters

Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list

Return to VHPA web site

Date posted on this site: 10/23/2024


Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association