The pilot of a medical helicopter that crashed in Albuquerque last week reported that the control pedals jammed or locked while taking off from the helipad on the University of New Mexico Hospital's roof.
The pilot's statement is contained in a National Transportation Safety Administration preliminary report on the April 9 crash.
It says the pilot began making a left turn but the helicopter kept turning and spun several crimes before crashing.
The pilot and the two paramedics aboard the helicopter suffered only minor injuries but the helicopter was heavily damaged. The helipad's fire suppression system put out a small fire.
The Airbus helicopter owned by PHI Air Medical was leaving the hospital after dropping off a patient.
It may be several months before the NTSB issues a final report.
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