Pilot error contributed to a medevac helicopter striking power lines at St. Luke's Miners Campus in December, according to the FAA.

On Dec. 29 around 2:15 a.m., a helicopter sustained minor damage after striking power lines and making a hard landing.It caused a temporary power outage in Coaldale.The helicopter was set to transport a patient from St. Luke's Miners Campus as part of the PennSTAR medevac program. It is owned by Metro Aviation of Shreveport, Louisiana.One pilot and two crew members were on board. There were no injuries.The patient was transported by ambulance, and there was no interruption in care.The FAA investigated the incident in January, and determined pilot error during the approach to the hospital was a primary factor. Secondary factors cited were striking the power lines, and losing control of the helicopter.There were no technical problems with the helicopter that contributed to the crash.According to the investigation report, the pilot's actions caused the helicopter to "settle under power," the same condition that caused a military helicopter to crash during the raid to capture Osama bin Laden.The investigator wrote that the pilot was approaching at a steep angle and let the helicopter get too slow for the descent, which caused him to lose control of the helicopter.The Eurocopter EC-135 had to be trucked away from the scene.The pilot, identified as Victor Balint, has approximately 6,700 hours recorded as a helicopter pilot, according to the FAA.The FAA recommended that Balint undergo a re-examination on his pilot's license. He could face further discipline if it's not completed.A spokesman for Metro Aviation said that they concur with the findings contained in the FAA report, and that they took appropriate measures to prevent future occurrences.Representatives for St. Luke's and PennSTAR declined to comment.