Fatal Crash in Maryland
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Fatal Crash in Maryland
Four dead in US as a helicopter crashes onto a road in Maryland.
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Four dead in US helicopter crash
A helicopter has crashed on to a highway in the US state of Maryland and burst into flames, killing all four people on board, officials say.
No vehicles were hit when the commercial aircraft came down on Interstate 70 in western Maryland.
Firefighters found the helicopter engulfed in flames when they arrived at the scene on Thursday night.
Visibility was said to be limited because of fog, but it was not clear if weather played a part in the crash.
Storms had passed through the area earlier in the night, the Associated Press reports.
Emergency services received a call about the crash at 2230 local time, Washington County emergency services director Kevin Lewis said.
Mr Lewis was among the first on the scene of the crash, west of the Washington County-Federick County line.
He said the helicopter was a Robison R44, four-seat commercial aircraft.
The highway has been shut in both directions and an investigation into the crash is now underway.
A helicopter has crashed on to a highway in the US state of Maryland and burst into flames, killing all four people on board, officials say.
No vehicles were hit when the commercial aircraft came down on Interstate 70 in western Maryland.
Firefighters found the helicopter engulfed in flames when they arrived at the scene on Thursday night.
Visibility was said to be limited because of fog, but it was not clear if weather played a part in the crash.
Storms had passed through the area earlier in the night, the Associated Press reports.
Emergency services received a call about the crash at 2230 local time, Washington County emergency services director Kevin Lewis said.
Mr Lewis was among the first on the scene of the crash, west of the Washington County-Federick County line.
He said the helicopter was a Robison R44, four-seat commercial aircraft.
The highway has been shut in both directions and an investigation into the crash is now underway.
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American Media said it was a R44. Was engulfed in flames when they got there.The Herald-Mail
More details:
Official: 4 killed in Maryland helicopter crash - Yahoo! News
By DAVID DISHNEAU, Associated Press Writer David Dishneau, Associated Press Writer
...Visibility was somewhat limited by fog at the time of the crash, but it wasn't clear if weather played a role, Lewis said. Storms had passed through the area earlier in the night.
Lewis said a witness saw the craft flying low when a bright arc of electricity flashed in the air, apparently caused by the helicopter striking a power line. It wasn't clear if the craft was already on its way down when it hit the lines.
"The witness basically saw a large arc at which point the helicopter crashed onto the interstate," Lewis said. Before seeing the arc, the witness thought the helicopter might have been trying to land along the roadway...
...Federal Aviation Administration records list the owner of the four-seat Robinson R44 helicopter as Marsan Aviation Inc., Trustee, of Wilmington, Del. No phone number for the company could be found in the state.
Maryland State police, who are in charge of the investigation, declined to release the victims' names until family were notified. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA were also at the scene west of the Washington County-Frederick County line, on the western slope of a ridge known as South Mountain.
...Visibility was somewhat limited by fog at the time of the crash, but it wasn't clear if weather played a role, Lewis said. Storms had passed through the area earlier in the night.
Lewis said a witness saw the craft flying low when a bright arc of electricity flashed in the air, apparently caused by the helicopter striking a power line. It wasn't clear if the craft was already on its way down when it hit the lines.
"The witness basically saw a large arc at which point the helicopter crashed onto the interstate," Lewis said. Before seeing the arc, the witness thought the helicopter might have been trying to land along the roadway...
...Federal Aviation Administration records list the owner of the four-seat Robinson R44 helicopter as Marsan Aviation Inc., Trustee, of Wilmington, Del. No phone number for the company could be found in the state.
Maryland State police, who are in charge of the investigation, declined to release the victims' names until family were notified. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA were also at the scene west of the Washington County-Frederick County line, on the western slope of a ridge known as South Mountain.
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This is very sad news to hear.
Helicopter Crashes Onto Md. Interstate, Killing 4 - Greenville News Story - WYFF Greenville
My thoughts and prayers go to the families and friends of the souls that have perished.
Rest In Peace
Helicopter Crashes Onto Md. Interstate, Killing 4 - Greenville News Story - WYFF Greenville
My thoughts and prayers go to the families and friends of the souls that have perished.
Rest In Peace
Last edited by cptjim; 24th Jul 2009 at 12:20.
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These people were my friends, and this is the school where I'm in training. Needless to say I'm beyond devastated...I dunno what to say. 
I feel like I should drive out to support the people at school but I don't want to be in the way. Press conference coming in a couple hours apparently.
I feel like I should drive out to support the people at school but I don't want to be in the way. Press conference coming in a couple hours apparently.
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Time of accident: 22:30 local (2:30 zulu)
"It is not known if weather was a contributing factor [...]"
"[...] it did not rain when the rescue personnel arrived on scene [...]"
Maybe it didn't rain at the time of the crash. Maybe they wanted to land at their destination and clipped a wire on approach (could happen to any of us).
I thought I post the weather to get the big picture.
Disclaimer: Since I wasn't there, I can only go by the facts. The weather wasn't unflyable yesterday. Visibility during the day was fine, at times the clouds where too low (BKN007) but if you found a clear area you could have avoided the storms. Would I have tried to fly around those storms at night, after observing the erratic weather pattern last night?
I feel truly sorry for the families and friends left behind.
Hagerstown MD, (aprox. 20nm north):
KHGR 240453Z AUTO 00000KT 7SM +RA CLR 21/18 A2989 RMK AO2 SLP123 P0000 T02110183 403060211
KHGR 240353Z AUTO 34003KT 10SM +RA CLR 22/19 A2989 RMK AO2 SLP124 P0000 T02220189
KHGR 240253Z AUTO 32004KT 10SM +RA CLR 22/19 A2988 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT E SLP120 P0000 60000 T02220189 53011
KHGR 240153Z 31004KT 10SM +RA FEW023 BKN080 24/19 A2987 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT SE SLP118 P0000 T02390194
KHGR 240053Z 01004KT 10SM +RA FEW028 SCT034 SCT090 24/19 A2985 RMK AO2 SLP110 P0000 T02440194
KHGR 232353Z 04004KT 10SM +RA FEW039 SCT050 BKN075 26/19 A2984 RMK AO2 SLP109 P0000 60008 T02610189 10306 20250 55000
KHGR 232253Z 11004KT 10SM +RA CLR 27/19 A2983 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT NE SLP104 P0000 T02720189
KHGR 240453Z AUTO 00000KT 7SM +RA CLR 21/18 A2989 RMK AO2 SLP123 P0000 T02110183 403060211
KHGR 240353Z AUTO 34003KT 10SM +RA CLR 22/19 A2989 RMK AO2 SLP124 P0000 T02220189
KHGR 240253Z AUTO 32004KT 10SM +RA CLR 22/19 A2988 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT E SLP120 P0000 60000 T02220189 53011
KHGR 240153Z 31004KT 10SM +RA FEW023 BKN080 24/19 A2987 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT SE SLP118 P0000 T02390194
KHGR 240053Z 01004KT 10SM +RA FEW028 SCT034 SCT090 24/19 A2985 RMK AO2 SLP110 P0000 T02440194
KHGR 232353Z 04004KT 10SM +RA FEW039 SCT050 BKN075 26/19 A2984 RMK AO2 SLP109 P0000 60008 T02610189 10306 20250 55000
KHGR 232253Z 11004KT 10SM +RA CLR 27/19 A2983 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT NE SLP104 P0000 T02720189
Frederick Municipal:
KFDK 240336Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM -RA OVC090 21/20 A2990 RMK AO2 P0001 LTG DSNT E THRU SW
KFDK 240314Z AUTO 00000KT 7SM SCT043 SCT050 OVC 21/20 A2988
KFDK 240253Z AUTO 19004KT 7SM TS SCT037 SCT044 BKN09 21/20 A2989
KFDK 240232Z AUTO 20005KT 10SM -TSRA SCT008 SCT080 21/20 A2988 RMK AO2 P0100 LTG DSNT ALQDS
KFDK 240210Z AUTO 13010KT 1 1/2SM +TSRA BKN006 BKN010 OVC015 21/20 A2989 RMK AO2 VIS 1V2 P0090 LTG DSNT ALQDS
KFDK 240149Z AUTO 24008G22KT 2 1/2SM +TSRA SCT013 BKN027 OVC060 22/20 A2988 RMK AO2 VIS 1 1/2V5 P0011 LTG DSNT ALQDS
KFDK 240128Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM VCTS SCT039 BKN060 BKN085 23/22 A2985 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT ALQDS
KFDK 240107Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM BKN 23/22 A2984 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT SW AND W
KFDK 240046Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM SCT 23/22 A2985
KFDK 240024Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 23/22 A2985 RMK AO2
KFDK 240003Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 24/22 A2986 RMK AO2
KFDK 232342Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 24/22 A2984 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT NE
KFDK 240336Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM -RA OVC090 21/20 A2990 RMK AO2 P0001 LTG DSNT E THRU SW
KFDK 240314Z AUTO 00000KT 7SM SCT043 SCT050 OVC 21/20 A2988
KFDK 240253Z AUTO 19004KT 7SM TS SCT037 SCT044 BKN09 21/20 A2989
KFDK 240232Z AUTO 20005KT 10SM -TSRA SCT008 SCT080 21/20 A2988 RMK AO2 P0100 LTG DSNT ALQDS
KFDK 240210Z AUTO 13010KT 1 1/2SM +TSRA BKN006 BKN010 OVC015 21/20 A2989 RMK AO2 VIS 1V2 P0090 LTG DSNT ALQDS
KFDK 240149Z AUTO 24008G22KT 2 1/2SM +TSRA SCT013 BKN027 OVC060 22/20 A2988 RMK AO2 VIS 1 1/2V5 P0011 LTG DSNT ALQDS
KFDK 240128Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM VCTS SCT039 BKN060 BKN085 23/22 A2985 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT ALQDS
KFDK 240107Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM BKN 23/22 A2984 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT SW AND W
KFDK 240046Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM SCT 23/22 A2985
KFDK 240024Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 23/22 A2985 RMK AO2
KFDK 240003Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 24/22 A2986 RMK AO2
KFDK 232342Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 24/22 A2984 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT NE
"[...] it did not rain when the rescue personnel arrived on scene [...]"
Maybe it didn't rain at the time of the crash. Maybe they wanted to land at their destination and clipped a wire on approach (could happen to any of us).
I thought I post the weather to get the big picture.
Disclaimer: Since I wasn't there, I can only go by the facts. The weather wasn't unflyable yesterday. Visibility during the day was fine, at times the clouds where too low (BKN007) but if you found a clear area you could have avoided the storms. Would I have tried to fly around those storms at night, after observing the erratic weather pattern last night?
I feel truly sorry for the families and friends left behind.
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Update with names of the deceased.
4 in Md. chopper crash had been at charity event - Yahoo! News
Once again, my sympathies to the families and friends.
CptJim
4 in Md. chopper crash had been at charity event - Yahoo! News
Once again, my sympathies to the families and friends.
CptJim
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Jeff was a talented guy and my IR instructor. He will be sorely missed...I learned a lot from him and his teaching style was very effective and made you comfortable.
AHC has been my home away from home the last 8 months and this is just devastating. Hard to believe this kind of tragedy can befall such nice people who were trying to do a little something to make the world a better place.
AHC has been my home away from home the last 8 months and this is just devastating. Hard to believe this kind of tragedy can befall such nice people who were trying to do a little something to make the world a better place.
Phil77
There was a really nasty line of thunderstorms moving across the region at the time. They would have been hard pressed to miss it unless they landed.
I was watching the storm on Doppler radar, although I didn't learn of the crash until later. I don't know where they were in relation to the thunderstorms at the time of the crash.
RIP
There was a really nasty line of thunderstorms moving across the region at the time. They would have been hard pressed to miss it unless they landed.
I was watching the storm on Doppler radar, although I didn't learn of the crash until later. I don't know where they were in relation to the thunderstorms at the time of the crash.
RIP
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There was a pretty good round of t-storms at the time, but I believe witnesses at the scene said it wasn't raining. Perhaps they inadvertently flew into IMC...
The reality that my instructor and friends are gone is settling in. I know we need to carry on but it's hard to know when. For those in the area, there's a memorial get together at AHC on the 29th.
The reality that my instructor and friends are gone is settling in. I know we need to carry on but it's hard to know when. For those in the area, there's a memorial get together at AHC on the 29th.
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Wires yet again
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Wires yet again
Pardon my cynicism, but it strikes me odd if (multiple) instructors give such a bad example to their students. As bad as it sounds: since they didn't make it, no harm is done; but all the times before they got away with such a stunt have probably been perceived as "commercial helicopter flying" by their students: monkey see, monkey do.
Last edited by Phil77; 3rd Aug 2009 at 12:19. Reason: Deleted unnecessary generalization.
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Well I though it was pretty obvious that many wire strikes are directly related to scud running Phil, I just cut to the chase. I'm sure you've been on the lucky end of many a situation Phil. Let's either decide how we can prevent this from happening again, or just let those unfortunates rest in peace.
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Yes, I hate to state the obvious, but I think that there might be some new pilots out there who could learn from others mistakes; who might fail to see what led to this tragic event. Student pilots might conclude that the guys were having a tragic accident after a normal flight under conditions that "commercial pilots" fly in on a regular basis.
I have been fortunate in a few occasions indeed and I readily share and discuss those with other pilots, because I learn from every story I hear too.
How can we prevent accidents like these? Unfortunately flying involves a human being that has a big ego (I include myself) and the trick is to convince this ego to take a step back and let common sense prevail - and there is the culprit: you cannot teach common sense! (this "old vs bold" pilot saying springs to mind)
I have been fortunate in a few occasions indeed and I readily share and discuss those with other pilots, because I learn from every story I hear too.
How can we prevent accidents like these? Unfortunately flying involves a human being that has a big ego (I include myself) and the trick is to convince this ego to take a step back and let common sense prevail - and there is the culprit: you cannot teach common sense! (this "old vs bold" pilot saying springs to mind)
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Phil,
As a student at AHC, I can assure you that scud running is something actively discouraged and NOT something we're taught to do, either by example or by instruction. If the Wx indicates no go, we don't go. I can't tell you how many drives out to Frederick have been nixed and how many times I've been told to turn around and go home because of the frequently crappy weather in that part of the world. AHC personnel are NOT reckless and do NOT encourage unsafe flying in any way shape or form.
Invariably these sorts of incidents will lead to cynical arses impugning the reputations of fine folk who've instructed hundreds of very qualified pilots. The ranks of former AHC students include numerous EMS and LEO operators and very safe, qualified commercial operators.
You don't know anything about the school rather obviously, so perhaps it's better you clam up about that sort of thing until more facts about the incident come to light? We don't know the scenario Jeff was faced with or the exact circumstances that lead him to be that low to the ground. Perhaps they'd had a mechanical and were trying to auto to the roadway?
As a student at AHC, I can assure you that scud running is something actively discouraged and NOT something we're taught to do, either by example or by instruction. If the Wx indicates no go, we don't go. I can't tell you how many drives out to Frederick have been nixed and how many times I've been told to turn around and go home because of the frequently crappy weather in that part of the world. AHC personnel are NOT reckless and do NOT encourage unsafe flying in any way shape or form.
Invariably these sorts of incidents will lead to cynical arses impugning the reputations of fine folk who've instructed hundreds of very qualified pilots. The ranks of former AHC students include numerous EMS and LEO operators and very safe, qualified commercial operators.
You don't know anything about the school rather obviously, so perhaps it's better you clam up about that sort of thing until more facts about the incident come to light? We don't know the scenario Jeff was faced with or the exact circumstances that lead him to be that low to the ground. Perhaps they'd had a mechanical and were trying to auto to the roadway?
Last edited by Sebastian-PGP; 3rd Aug 2009 at 12:10.
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Ok, I was cynical and expected this. Also I shouldn't have chastised a whole operation for one incident, I have edited my earlier post to take the unnecessary generalization out. My apologies.
I flew that same day in the same weather pattern (a couple of miles up north in a (IFR) plank): a big weather system off the cost was "throwing" all kinds of weather onshore with clouds ranging from CLR to BKN007, convective Sigmets and heavy rain in random order changing within minutes. As I said, not unflyable in a stabilized IFR ship with wx-radar (or at least ATC), but NOT in a R44 (at night that is).
There was no life to safe, nothing that would have only in the slightest bit justified risking the lives of three pax (read: "do what you want with your own life, just don't risk other peoples' lifes").
Sebastian:
I didn't say that this kind of flying was taught by the school, but I know that most schools differentiate wx minimums for students and their commercial ops. Which is ok, but bears the risk that students think, as soon as they have their commercial ticket, they can fly in anything (after all there are no wx minimums in Part 91 for helicopters right?). Obviously and understandably you try to safe your instructors reputation, but do you really believe in a coincidence, that just as they flew through the gap (which they always do very low at night of course) they had a mechanical?
I'm sure that's possible, but must have been a huge coincidence, considering those two witness statements in the NTSB report:
ivor: I thought I read earlier that three of the four were rated pilots affiliated with the company and therefore I concluded they must have agreed with the go/no-go decision.
I flew that same day in the same weather pattern (a couple of miles up north in a (IFR) plank): a big weather system off the cost was "throwing" all kinds of weather onshore with clouds ranging from CLR to BKN007, convective Sigmets and heavy rain in random order changing within minutes. As I said, not unflyable in a stabilized IFR ship with wx-radar (or at least ATC), but NOT in a R44 (at night that is).
There was no life to safe, nothing that would have only in the slightest bit justified risking the lives of three pax (read: "do what you want with your own life, just don't risk other peoples' lifes").
Sebastian:
I didn't say that this kind of flying was taught by the school, but I know that most schools differentiate wx minimums for students and their commercial ops. Which is ok, but bears the risk that students think, as soon as they have their commercial ticket, they can fly in anything (after all there are no wx minimums in Part 91 for helicopters right?). Obviously and understandably you try to safe your instructors reputation, but do you really believe in a coincidence, that just as they flew through the gap (which they always do very low at night of course) they had a mechanical?
Perhaps they'd had a mechanical and were trying to auto to the roadway?
[...]The helicopter appeared to fly into "low clouds," turned around, and was heading back toward the west, when it contacted power lines just as his car passed under them. The helicopter impacted the ground and "burst into flames."[...]
[...]Another witness, driving on I-70, reported that the helicopter was flying parallel with the interstate, and "seemed to be getting lower." It then disappeared from view, which was followed by "sparks in the sky." He then observed the helicopter descend toward the roadway.[...]
[...]Another witness, driving on I-70, reported that the helicopter was flying parallel with the interstate, and "seemed to be getting lower." It then disappeared from view, which was followed by "sparks in the sky." He then observed the helicopter descend toward the roadway.[...]
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No, I think it entirely likely that in the end this will be chalked up to "get-there-itis" and simply an inadvertent flight into IMC from VFR that happened when the buffer between GL and ceilings wasn't as big as Jeff thought it was.
Good pilots and good instructors can make unfortunate decisions; what I do know is that I trusted Jeff with my life many, many times, and knew him to NOT be a reckless person. He would have carefully analyzed the situation, so the question becomes "what led a talented, smart, careful guy to think the could clear that mountain given the prevailing Wx reports?" Obviously we can't ask him, but I can verify he would have given it some thought. This is rather apparent, as he waited and called twice to consider the factors he'd be facing.
I really doubt anybody is going to look at this and think "geeze when I get my CFI I can ignore the Wx". Please...the "old pilots/bold pilots" mantra is something AHC regularly makes us think about. I guess I took umbrage at your post as it sounded like you thought AHC ran a commercial operation that lead R44 jockeys to come out thinking they're Nicholas Cage in Firebirds, skimming the ground and getting by on the skin of their teeth. Impugning the reputation of well known, well respected operation that's been in business for decades without incident is foolish at best, which was my larger point.
My friend probably did make a mistake, and obviously my blood is up as grief is still settling in...but what I keep coming back to is this: had I been at HGR with him that night, and he said it was safe to go, I'd have trusted him with my life as well...as I had many times.
Good pilots and good instructors can make unfortunate decisions; what I do know is that I trusted Jeff with my life many, many times, and knew him to NOT be a reckless person. He would have carefully analyzed the situation, so the question becomes "what led a talented, smart, careful guy to think the could clear that mountain given the prevailing Wx reports?" Obviously we can't ask him, but I can verify he would have given it some thought. This is rather apparent, as he waited and called twice to consider the factors he'd be facing.
I really doubt anybody is going to look at this and think "geeze when I get my CFI I can ignore the Wx". Please...the "old pilots/bold pilots" mantra is something AHC regularly makes us think about. I guess I took umbrage at your post as it sounded like you thought AHC ran a commercial operation that lead R44 jockeys to come out thinking they're Nicholas Cage in Firebirds, skimming the ground and getting by on the skin of their teeth. Impugning the reputation of well known, well respected operation that's been in business for decades without incident is foolish at best, which was my larger point.
My friend probably did make a mistake, and obviously my blood is up as grief is still settling in...but what I keep coming back to is this: had I been at HGR with him that night, and he said it was safe to go, I'd have trusted him with my life as well...as I had many times.
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Lest we forget...
All it takes is one bad decision plus an insuficient supply of luck to equal disaster.
As a former AHC trainee and employee, my heart goes out to all associated with the victims.
The Appalachian weather has caused me some tense moments during my time in that part of the world.
As a former AHC trainee and employee, my heart goes out to all associated with the victims.
The Appalachian weather has caused me some tense moments during my time in that part of the world.
