North American News

[Hell Man]

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - A lawsuit claiming damages of almost $27 million accuses Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. of "reckless behaviour and wilful misconduct" in the Cougar helicopter crash that killed 17 people off Newfoundland. See: Cougar Helicopters sues manufacturer and feds over fatal N.L. chopper crash - Winnipeg Free Press

STRATFORD, Conn., Aug. 26 (UPI) -- Sikorsky Aircraft says the CH-53K Heavy Lift Helicopter Program is "Ready to Load" with the successful light-off of its first Auxiliary Power Unit engine. See: Sikorsky says CH-53K moves forward - UPI.com

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A camera mounted to a police helicopter in Ohio fell off mid-flight, striking at least three vehicles in a parking lot. See: The Associated Press: Ohio police chopper camera falls off, smashes cars

SAN DIEGO — The Coast Guard said Tuesday that a failure by the Navy to follow standard air traffic control procedures contributed to a midair collision that killed seven Coast Guard members and two Marines last year, while the Navy insisted the pilots were responsible. See: The Associated Press: Navy, Coast Guard trade blame for midair crash

ORANGE CO. - The Orange County Fire Authority has finally cleared the way to using its $25 million night-flying helicopters to, well, fly at night. It's been more than two years since the OCFA decided to invest in night-vision technology - not that we're keeping track or anything. The first of two helicopters arrived in December 2008, but instead of deploying the copters, union officials and department management have been fighting over how the program should be run. See: http://www.fireengineering.com/index...249169232.html