Helicopter pilot indicted with manslaughter
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From: UK
Helicopter down off Hawaiian island
Washington Post report
Helicopter Crashes Into Ocean Off Kauai
LIHUE, Hawaii
LIHUE, Hawaii
-- A tour helicopter carrying a pilot and five passengers crashed into the ocean near a reef, killing two people.
Three survivors managed to swim to the reef and refused medical treatment; the fourth was plucked from the water but was "not responsive" when taken to a hospital, according to Mary Daubert, Kauai County spokeswoman.
The helicopter operated by Las Vegas-based Heli USA Airways was carrying three men and three women when it crashed Friday afternoon, said Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. DesaRae Janszen.
Shortly before the crash, the pilot reported encountering wind shear, said Scott Ishikawa, a spokesman for the state Department of Transportation.
Heli USA operates helicopter tours in Hawaii over Kauai and Oahu, and over the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas, according to the company's Web site.
Three survivors managed to swim to the reef and refused medical treatment; the fourth was plucked from the water but was "not responsive" when taken to a hospital, according to Mary Daubert, Kauai County spokeswoman.
The helicopter operated by Las Vegas-based Heli USA Airways was carrying three men and three women when it crashed Friday afternoon, said Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. DesaRae Janszen.
Shortly before the crash, the pilot reported encountering wind shear, said Scott Ishikawa, a spokesman for the state Department of Transportation.
Heli USA operates helicopter tours in Hawaii over Kauai and Oahu, and over the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas, according to the company's Web site.
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From: Redding CA, or on a fire somewhere
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From: Cant Remember
Sad story that wont end anytime soon. One item that hits home to me is the fact that a lot of these folks fly over water "legally" but for the most part know that if they go in the water, someone is not going home.
I think more than one person in this incident perished. No mention of that here yet.
Anyway the FAA states the rules in Part 135.183 regarding operations. The carrier in this case was I believe operating under part 135, Im sure that will be manipulated down the road.. The little ditty in this rule states that "it is operated at an altitude that allows it to reach land in case of an engine failure."
All well and good 99% of the time. Although Im sure there are some areas where this gets stretched a bit based on a coastline with no beach in places.
Anyway as the rumor mill drifts on, this particular incident had other factors ie. inclement weather and the possibility of another aircraft in the vicinity which could have added pressure to someone heading for the beach in compliance to part 135.
As a guesstimate the weather alone could have placed the aircraft out of the envelope as required. Another Aircraft just adding to the problem.
As nothing formal has come out, let alone the totality of the accident all the above is speculation. Folks love to jump on speculation........
Bottom line and the main point is not about the accident but the fact that a lot of operators hang their wallets on not purchasing pop-outs based on the fact that the "99% of the time" will keep them out of trouble. Heres a good example of the 1% thats cost lives and a ton more than a good set of floatation devices on the skids.
This could happen to ANY of the operators. bad fortune just placed it in the laps of one.
The Buzzards in the legal profession are already landing on the fence.
As of Monday 9/26 it appears a total of three perished in this accident. It is also extremely surprising that none of the folks in the Hawaii tour business have commented as they usuaully do regarding another operator. Could be they all feel a bit of guilt as most all are wearing the same shoes.
I think more than one person in this incident perished. No mention of that here yet.
Anyway the FAA states the rules in Part 135.183 regarding operations. The carrier in this case was I believe operating under part 135, Im sure that will be manipulated down the road.. The little ditty in this rule states that "it is operated at an altitude that allows it to reach land in case of an engine failure."
All well and good 99% of the time. Although Im sure there are some areas where this gets stretched a bit based on a coastline with no beach in places.
Anyway as the rumor mill drifts on, this particular incident had other factors ie. inclement weather and the possibility of another aircraft in the vicinity which could have added pressure to someone heading for the beach in compliance to part 135.
As a guesstimate the weather alone could have placed the aircraft out of the envelope as required. Another Aircraft just adding to the problem.
As nothing formal has come out, let alone the totality of the accident all the above is speculation. Folks love to jump on speculation........
Bottom line and the main point is not about the accident but the fact that a lot of operators hang their wallets on not purchasing pop-outs based on the fact that the "99% of the time" will keep them out of trouble. Heres a good example of the 1% thats cost lives and a ton more than a good set of floatation devices on the skids.
This could happen to ANY of the operators. bad fortune just placed it in the laps of one.
The Buzzards in the legal profession are already landing on the fence.
As of Monday 9/26 it appears a total of three perished in this accident. It is also extremely surprising that none of the folks in the Hawaii tour business have commented as they usuaully do regarding another operator. Could be they all feel a bit of guilt as most all are wearing the same shoes.
Last edited by Gatvol; 26th September 2005 at 15:32.
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From: US
I can not address this specific accident, but along some of the Kauai coastline there are no beaches, helispots, meadows, other other suitable places to put a helo.
I flew out of Barking Sands for a while (with floats) and you would be hard pressed to find a place to land along the Napali Cliffs in the event of an engine failure.
Yes, until the FAA says so, most operators will not install floats or purchase twins on Kauai.
I flew out of Barking Sands for a while (with floats) and you would be hard pressed to find a place to land along the Napali Cliffs in the event of an engine failure.
Yes, until the FAA says so, most operators will not install floats or purchase twins on Kauai.
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From: Redding CA, or on a fire somewhere
Check 6,
I beg to differ....I flew tours on Kauai for seven years. There are numerous landing areas along the Napali coast including the mile long Kalalau beach, which has a helipad for two helicopters, Honopu beach and many others. I have landed at the beaches numerous times. All of the landing areas have been approved by the FAA. There are even emergency helipads in the valleys in your picture---I have pictures of them on my other computer which I will try to post tonight.
To give an idea of size, this is Honopu beaches, the left beach is about 1000 feet long.
This is Kee Beach within half a mile of the accident.
I beg to differ....I flew tours on Kauai for seven years. There are numerous landing areas along the Napali coast including the mile long Kalalau beach, which has a helipad for two helicopters, Honopu beach and many others. I have landed at the beaches numerous times. All of the landing areas have been approved by the FAA. There are even emergency helipads in the valleys in your picture---I have pictures of them on my other computer which I will try to post tonight.
To give an idea of size, this is Honopu beaches, the left beach is about 1000 feet long.
This is Kee Beach within half a mile of the accident.
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From: Redding CA, or on a fire somewhere
Check 6,
I agree some of the areas would be tough to autorotate to, especially in the valleys. However, Kalalau, Honopu, Hanakapiai (in the summer), and Kee should not present a major chalenge. Having just recently left Kauai, I do know that the weather is extremely "dynamic". I will not speculate as to this accident, or make observations relating to a specific company. In general, weather issues rear their head all day long and decisions have to be made. Most times pilots have a hard time making them----fly through a rain shower with reduced visibility and land on time----or----turn around and add an extra minutes, (as many as 30 depending upon where you encounter the rain), onto your tour length and suffer the wrath of the company.
I agree some of the areas would be tough to autorotate to, especially in the valleys. However, Kalalau, Honopu, Hanakapiai (in the summer), and Kee should not present a major chalenge. Having just recently left Kauai, I do know that the weather is extremely "dynamic". I will not speculate as to this accident, or make observations relating to a specific company. In general, weather issues rear their head all day long and decisions have to be made. Most times pilots have a hard time making them----fly through a rain shower with reduced visibility and land on time----or----turn around and add an extra minutes, (as many as 30 depending upon where you encounter the rain), onto your tour length and suffer the wrath of the company.
Gatvol
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: KLAS/TIST/FAJS/KFAI
Link:http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/ap...WS01/509260316
Another Link:http://www.thehawaiichannel.com/news...0441&qs=1;bp=t
Latest Link:http://www.kauaiworld.com/articles/2...ews/news02.txt
Another Link:http://www.thehawaiichannel.com/news...0441&qs=1;bp=t
Latest Link:http://www.kauaiworld.com/articles/2...ews/news02.txt
Last edited by B Sousa; 30th September 2005 at 15:03.
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From: North of Eq
Fatal Accident Leads to Homicide Investigation
From the Associated Press.
“Prosecutors on Kauai have opened a homicide investigation into a tour helicopter crash that claimed the lives of three people in September.
Glen Lampton was the pilot of the Heli U-S-A Airways helicopter that crashed. He told investigators that just before the accident, he suddenly saw another helicopter coming straight for him, made a left turn to avoid an accident and encountered heavy rain.
Lampton's helicopter descended rapidly and crashed into the ocean along Kauai's North shore, leaving three of his passengers dead. He and two other passengers survived.”
Is this another “only in America” issue? I only hope that there is more to it than AP are telling us; or has the world gone crazy? What is the prosecutor’s angle? Perhaps an ‘inadvertent’, and therefore potentially negligent, entry into IMC with a consequent breach of the Visual Flight Rules being a primary cause of the accident?
Perhaps it is an example of just how, as pilots and mechanics, we now have to be extremely careful in everything we do so as not to leave ourselves open to criminal charges for manslaughter or homicide in the event of being involved in a fatal accident.
“Prosecutors on Kauai have opened a homicide investigation into a tour helicopter crash that claimed the lives of three people in September.
Glen Lampton was the pilot of the Heli U-S-A Airways helicopter that crashed. He told investigators that just before the accident, he suddenly saw another helicopter coming straight for him, made a left turn to avoid an accident and encountered heavy rain.
Lampton's helicopter descended rapidly and crashed into the ocean along Kauai's North shore, leaving three of his passengers dead. He and two other passengers survived.”
Is this another “only in America” issue? I only hope that there is more to it than AP are telling us; or has the world gone crazy? What is the prosecutor’s angle? Perhaps an ‘inadvertent’, and therefore potentially negligent, entry into IMC with a consequent breach of the Visual Flight Rules being a primary cause of the accident?
Perhaps it is an example of just how, as pilots and mechanics, we now have to be extremely careful in everything we do so as not to leave ourselves open to criminal charges for manslaughter or homicide in the event of being involved in a fatal accident.
Gatvol
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: KLAS/TIST/FAJS/KFAI
Is this another “only in America” issue? I only hope that there is more to it than AP are telling us; or has the world gone crazy? What is the prosecutor’s angle? Perhaps an ‘inadvertent’, and therefore potentially negligent, entry into IMC with a consequent breach of the Visual Flight Rules being a primary cause of the accident?
As Pilots we also should be able to read between the lines.
Since we have the title of "Rumor Network" anyone can take a guess as to what happened. As an example using the media
he suddenly saw another helicopter coming straight for him, made a left turn to avoid an accident and encountered heavy rain.
As to the courtroom Drama, it sounds as if the Prosecutor is looking towards another Pilot as responsible versus the Pilot who crashed. Heres another twist. Some Prosecutor with maybe a little or no Helicopter experience is going to stick his nose in??Too many things to GUESS about in a serious matter like this. I think sit back and watch what happens would be better. Whatever the outcome one of US now has to live with this tradgedy for the rest of his life.
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From: Missouri, USA
The last I read about this was that the surviving passengers didn't see another helicopter and the authorities were unable to establish the presence of another helicopter in the area.
But to investigate this as a homicide seems a bit harsh.
But to investigate this as a homicide seems a bit harsh.
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From: Redding CA, or on a fire somewhere
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From: Missouri, USA
Thanks for the link to the article. After seeing the picture everyone should be incredibly thankful that the pilot and one passenger survived. I'm sorry for the other losses but very glad that two made it out.
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From: Asia
Little better than a raincoat
The picture shows, yet again, that the Eurocopter AS350 cabin design offers little more than rain protection to the people on board. There is next to no protection given by the canopy in the event of an accident.
One of the surreal images I have embossed in my memory is watching a vertical split open up in the canopy, from the bottom to the top, in the seconds after I made a forced landing on to a steep slope following the loss of the tail rotor (literally).
As has been mentioned in other threads some of the cabins on helicopters of other manufactures are more rigid and offer quite a lot of protection and improve the survivability of an accident.
One of the surreal images I have embossed in my memory is watching a vertical split open up in the canopy, from the bottom to the top, in the seconds after I made a forced landing on to a steep slope following the loss of the tail rotor (literally).
As has been mentioned in other threads some of the cabins on helicopters of other manufactures are more rigid and offer quite a lot of protection and improve the survivability of an accident.
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From: London
Pilot who survived helicopter crash indicted
HONOLULU
HONOLULU
--A helicopter pilot has been indicted with manslaughter for crashing a tour helicopter on Kauai's North Shore.
Glen Lampton is believed to be the first pilot involved in a helicopter crash in Hawaii to face criminal prosecution, said Kauai First Deputy Prosecutor Richard Minatoya.
Lampton was flying the Heli USA Airways helicopter that plunged into the ocean near Haena Point on Sept. 23. Lampton and five passengers survived the crash. Three others, including Catherine Baron and Mary H. Soucy of Portland, Maine, were killed.
Lampton was indicted in seven counts, including three counts for manslaughter and two counts in reckless endangering in the second degree, one count of falsification to authorities and one count in tempering with evidence. If convicted for manslaughter, he could face a maximum of 20 years in prison on each count.
Lampton plans to plead not guilty and post bail when he flies to Kauai on Jan. 13 for his arraignment, according to his attorney, Sam King Jr. Bail was set at $100,000.
Lampton is still employed by Heli USA, where he is performing administrative work.
Lampton told investigators that just before the crash, he suddenly saw another helicopter coming straight for him, made a left turn to avoid an accident and encountered heavy rain, the National Transportation Safety Board has reported.
The two surviving passengers, Karen and Bill Thorson of Beloit, Wis., have said they saw another helicopter at the time, but it was so far away they didn't believe Lampton had to maneuver to avoid hitting it.
Glen Lampton is believed to be the first pilot involved in a helicopter crash in Hawaii to face criminal prosecution, said Kauai First Deputy Prosecutor Richard Minatoya.
Lampton was flying the Heli USA Airways helicopter that plunged into the ocean near Haena Point on Sept. 23. Lampton and five passengers survived the crash. Three others, including Catherine Baron and Mary H. Soucy of Portland, Maine, were killed.
Lampton was indicted in seven counts, including three counts for manslaughter and two counts in reckless endangering in the second degree, one count of falsification to authorities and one count in tempering with evidence. If convicted for manslaughter, he could face a maximum of 20 years in prison on each count.
Lampton plans to plead not guilty and post bail when he flies to Kauai on Jan. 13 for his arraignment, according to his attorney, Sam King Jr. Bail was set at $100,000.
Lampton is still employed by Heli USA, where he is performing administrative work.
Lampton told investigators that just before the crash, he suddenly saw another helicopter coming straight for him, made a left turn to avoid an accident and encountered heavy rain, the National Transportation Safety Board has reported.
The two surviving passengers, Karen and Bill Thorson of Beloit, Wis., have said they saw another helicopter at the time, but it was so far away they didn't believe Lampton had to maneuver to avoid hitting it.
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From: Downeast
Looking at the Kee Beach photograph....it does appear a very long way between beaches suitable for any kind of landing. It is not how many places there are to land....but if there is one available when you need it. I don't see that being the case in the Kee Beach photograph.
What do the beaches look like at High Tide? High and dry as in the photographs?
The FAR that says "in case of engine failure" explains the FAA mindset.....they ignore about a thousand other reasons one might find himself bobbin' in the oggin'.
Please to remember this is the exact same FAA that agreed with the airlines when they asked to remove life rafts from flights operating along the East Coast of the United States. They argued and the FAA accepted it being a statistical improbability that all three engines of a 727 would fail and thus life rafts on those overwater sectors were not needed (....more passengers could be carried I guess).
Two weeks later, an FE got the board confused, and managed to flame out all three engines. The crew managed to get the engines restarted but it was a close....close thing. The same FAA then decided rafts were a good thing for airliners.
Of course this is the same FAA that takes a hands off approach to the Gulf of Mexico Offshore Industry as well. How many deaths we see down there last year?
What do the beaches look like at High Tide? High and dry as in the photographs?
The FAR that says "in case of engine failure" explains the FAA mindset.....they ignore about a thousand other reasons one might find himself bobbin' in the oggin'.
Please to remember this is the exact same FAA that agreed with the airlines when they asked to remove life rafts from flights operating along the East Coast of the United States. They argued and the FAA accepted it being a statistical improbability that all three engines of a 727 would fail and thus life rafts on those overwater sectors were not needed (....more passengers could be carried I guess).
Two weeks later, an FE got the board confused, and managed to flame out all three engines. The crew managed to get the engines restarted but it was a close....close thing. The same FAA then decided rafts were a good thing for airliners.
Of course this is the same FAA that takes a hands off approach to the Gulf of Mexico Offshore Industry as well. How many deaths we see down there last year?
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From: Downeast
The FAR that says "in case of engine failure" explains the FAA mindset.....they ignore about a thousand other reasons one might find himself bobbin' in the oggin'.
Now that the tirade is over....what do you really think Nick?
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From: North of Eq
Maybe one of PPRuNe's ‘legal eagles’ could help out here.
Given a similar scenario, where a pilot is charged with manslaughter following the death of a passenger in an accident, what would the prosecutor have to prove to obtain a verdict of guilty against a pilot?
Given a similar scenario, where a pilot is charged with manslaughter following the death of a passenger in an accident, what would the prosecutor have to prove to obtain a verdict of guilty against a pilot?
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From: Asia
The NTSB Preliminary Report is now available. http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?e...03X01565&key=1