SASless
7th Mar 2006, 13:31
WRAL.com
Helicopter Pilot In Fatal 2004 Crash Indicted On Manslaughter Charge
FRANKLINTON, N.C. -- Nearly two years after a helicopter crash killed a Franklin County sheriff's deputy, criminal charges have been filed against the helicopter pilot.
A Franklin County grand jury indicted Monday pilot Ben Barrick for involuntary manslaughter. Barrick is accused of flying the helicopter that killed deputy Ted Horton in May 2004, despite warnings that the helicopter was unsafe.
Shortly after the crash, questions surfaced about what happened to cause the crash.
Investigation later revealed that Barrick brought the chopper to Franklin County and worked out a secret lease with the sheriff.
The contract between the two promised an aircraft in excellent flying condition. Yet, a federal investigation revealed that fatigue failure in the tailboom caused the fatal crash.
According to reports, Barrick chose to fly despite warnings he had not properly maintained the helicopter.
Franklin County District Attorney Sam Currin said those kinds of facts led the grand jury to indict Barrick.
"He should have known. He was warned," Currin told WRAL. "He almost killed himself. He killed a fellow deputy."
Despite the ongoing criminal investigation into the crash, Franklin County commissioners felt legally compelled to pay worker's compensation to Barrick, a county employee, for back injuries he suffered as a result of the crash. Commissioners eventually settled for a total of $147,000.
Commissioners defended that decision, saying the criminal and personnel matters are separate.
The State Bureau of Investigation hopes Barrick, who moved to Tennessee after the crash, will return voluntarily to Franklin County to face the manslaughter charge.
If convicted, Barrick faces up to 20 months in prison.
Previous Stories:
February 21, 2006: Franklin County Pays Almost $150K To Pilot Of Fatal Chopper Crash
January 5, 2006: Charges Likely For Pilot In Fatal Franklin County Helicopter Crash
September 28, 2005: NTSB Report Adds Weight To Criminal Probe Of Chopper Crash
August 26, 2005: Pilot In Franklin 'Copter Crash Suit Wants Name Removed
June 14, 2005: D.A. Calls For Criminal Investigation Into Franklin County Helicopter Crash
June 9, 2005: District Attorney To Determine Whether Franklin Sheriff Broke Law
June 8, 2005: Franklin County Leaders Ask For Criminal Investigation Of Sheriff
May 31, 2005: New Information About Deadly Helicopter Crash May Lead To Criminal Charges
April 7, 2005: Bank Files Lawsuit Over Franklin Copter Crash
September 30, 2004: Franklin Deputy Involved In Helicopter Crash Off Job
June 7, 2004: Commissioners Dispute Helicopter Owner's Claim That Franklin County Owes Him Money After Crash
June 5, 2004: Owner Of Helicopter In Franklin County Crash Seeks More Than $93,000 From Sheriff's Office
June 1, 2004: Officials: Helicopter In Deadly Franklin Crash Not Airworthy
June 1, 2004: Document Spells Out Liability In Fatal Franklin Helicopter Crash
May 21, 2004: NTSB: Franklin County May Be Liable For Copter Crash
May 19, 2004: Liability Questions Arise In Fatal Copter Crash
May 18, 2004: FAA: Pilot Involved In Helicopter Crash Did Not Have Valid License
May 17, 2004: Family, Friends Pay Final Respects To Fallen Franklin County Deputy
May 17, 2004: Franklin County Mourns Lost Deputy As Crash Investigation Continues
May 14, 2004: Deputy Dies, Another Injured In Franklin County Helicopter Crash
Helicopter Pilot In Fatal 2004 Crash Indicted On Manslaughter Charge
FRANKLINTON, N.C. -- Nearly two years after a helicopter crash killed a Franklin County sheriff's deputy, criminal charges have been filed against the helicopter pilot.
A Franklin County grand jury indicted Monday pilot Ben Barrick for involuntary manslaughter. Barrick is accused of flying the helicopter that killed deputy Ted Horton in May 2004, despite warnings that the helicopter was unsafe.
Shortly after the crash, questions surfaced about what happened to cause the crash.
Investigation later revealed that Barrick brought the chopper to Franklin County and worked out a secret lease with the sheriff.
The contract between the two promised an aircraft in excellent flying condition. Yet, a federal investigation revealed that fatigue failure in the tailboom caused the fatal crash.
According to reports, Barrick chose to fly despite warnings he had not properly maintained the helicopter.
Franklin County District Attorney Sam Currin said those kinds of facts led the grand jury to indict Barrick.
"He should have known. He was warned," Currin told WRAL. "He almost killed himself. He killed a fellow deputy."
Despite the ongoing criminal investigation into the crash, Franklin County commissioners felt legally compelled to pay worker's compensation to Barrick, a county employee, for back injuries he suffered as a result of the crash. Commissioners eventually settled for a total of $147,000.
Commissioners defended that decision, saying the criminal and personnel matters are separate.
The State Bureau of Investigation hopes Barrick, who moved to Tennessee after the crash, will return voluntarily to Franklin County to face the manslaughter charge.
If convicted, Barrick faces up to 20 months in prison.
Previous Stories:
February 21, 2006: Franklin County Pays Almost $150K To Pilot Of Fatal Chopper Crash
January 5, 2006: Charges Likely For Pilot In Fatal Franklin County Helicopter Crash
September 28, 2005: NTSB Report Adds Weight To Criminal Probe Of Chopper Crash
August 26, 2005: Pilot In Franklin 'Copter Crash Suit Wants Name Removed
June 14, 2005: D.A. Calls For Criminal Investigation Into Franklin County Helicopter Crash
June 9, 2005: District Attorney To Determine Whether Franklin Sheriff Broke Law
June 8, 2005: Franklin County Leaders Ask For Criminal Investigation Of Sheriff
May 31, 2005: New Information About Deadly Helicopter Crash May Lead To Criminal Charges
April 7, 2005: Bank Files Lawsuit Over Franklin Copter Crash
September 30, 2004: Franklin Deputy Involved In Helicopter Crash Off Job
June 7, 2004: Commissioners Dispute Helicopter Owner's Claim That Franklin County Owes Him Money After Crash
June 5, 2004: Owner Of Helicopter In Franklin County Crash Seeks More Than $93,000 From Sheriff's Office
June 1, 2004: Officials: Helicopter In Deadly Franklin Crash Not Airworthy
June 1, 2004: Document Spells Out Liability In Fatal Franklin Helicopter Crash
May 21, 2004: NTSB: Franklin County May Be Liable For Copter Crash
May 19, 2004: Liability Questions Arise In Fatal Copter Crash
May 18, 2004: FAA: Pilot Involved In Helicopter Crash Did Not Have Valid License
May 17, 2004: Family, Friends Pay Final Respects To Fallen Franklin County Deputy
May 17, 2004: Franklin County Mourns Lost Deputy As Crash Investigation Continues
May 14, 2004: Deputy Dies, Another Injured In Franklin County Helicopter Crash