Nation

Working on a medical helicopter is the second most dangerous job in America, behind only commercial fishing. In the past two years alone, medical helicopters have plunged into pitch-black oceans, plummeted to the ground after losing their rotor blades and collided in clear blue desert skies.

Select a point on the timeline, choose a helicopter crash or view trends for more information.

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SOURCES: National Transportation Safety Board investigation reports; EMS websites; newspaper archives; family interviews; Washington Post analysis;
GRAPHIC: Kat Downs, Jacqueline Kazil, Lauren Keane, Sarah Fitzpatrick, Kate Napier - The Washington Post

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