Bell 206 down in Fairfield
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Joined: Jul 2007
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From: the City by the Bay
Bell 206 down in Fairfield
Bell 206 may have hit powerline. 3 dead.
https://www.sfgate.com/news/bayarea/...E-15312436.php
https://www.sfgate.com/news/bayarea/...E-15312436.php
Solano County sheriff's officials confirmed Tuesday night that the three people in a helicopter that went down near Fairfield earlier in the day died.
At about 1 p.m. the Bell 206 helicopter, contracted to fly on behalf of PG&E, came in contact with a 115 kilovolt power line near Vacaville, PG&E spokeswoman Tamar Sarkissian said.
The helicopter crashed at about 1:30 p.m. near Lyon and Soda Springs roads, a Federal Aviation Administration spokesman said.
At about 3 p.m., PG&E shut off power to about 38,000 customers in the Vacaville/Fairfield area at the request of Cal Fire, which responded to a fire that started because of the crash. The fire burned just a few acres and was out by about 4 p.m., Cal Fire officials said.
Sarkissian said PG&E is looking to restore customers from various sources but due to higher, near-summer temperatures in much of the state and the resulting higher demand on the system, it may take some time to restore everyone.
At about 1 p.m. the Bell 206 helicopter, contracted to fly on behalf of PG&E, came in contact with a 115 kilovolt power line near Vacaville, PG&E spokeswoman Tamar Sarkissian said.
The helicopter crashed at about 1:30 p.m. near Lyon and Soda Springs roads, a Federal Aviation Administration spokesman said.
At about 3 p.m., PG&E shut off power to about 38,000 customers in the Vacaville/Fairfield area at the request of Cal Fire, which responded to a fire that started because of the crash. The fire burned just a few acres and was out by about 4 p.m., Cal Fire officials said.
Sarkissian said PG&E is looking to restore customers from various sources but due to higher, near-summer temperatures in much of the state and the resulting higher demand on the system, it may take some time to restore everyone.
Last edited by Senior Pilot; 3rd June 2020 at 05:04. Reason: Add quote
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 547
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From: the City by the Bay
Wonder if they were electrocuted when they touched the high tension wires. They were working on behalf of the power company probably inspecting lines or even clearing debris.
Sad accident. Will post details if they get posted in local newspapers.
Nobody has any comments?
Sad accident. Will post details if they get posted in local newspapers.
Nobody has any comments?
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,081
Likes: 189
From: Redding CA, or on a fire somewhere
The pilot, (Roscoe Gray), was working for PJ Helicopters, contracted to Pacific Gas & Electric, (PG&E). The two linemen worked for Wilson Construction,, one was a 4 year apprentice, (Travis Shull), the other a Journeyman, (Jimmy Wasdin). (My pilots have worked with both linemen in the past). They were in fact on the end of a line. They would not have been electrocuted as the lines were not "hot" or "live". Unfortunately it appears the helicopter hit the lines and came on top of them and burned.
All PG&E helicopter operations have been on safety stand down for the last 2 days. My pilots and I spent one of those days in a group huddle discussing all sorts of safety issues flying techniques and and we resume flying tomorrow. It is amazing the things you can learn from each other when forced to sit in a room and talk. (11 pilots, 12 different opinions.....). PG&E has suspended all human external cargo until further notice, so we are doing cargo only and the linemen will have to hike into and then climb their towers. This will double the work time for each structure being worked on.
RIP to all 3.
All PG&E helicopter operations have been on safety stand down for the last 2 days. My pilots and I spent one of those days in a group huddle discussing all sorts of safety issues flying techniques and and we resume flying tomorrow. It is amazing the things you can learn from each other when forced to sit in a room and talk. (11 pilots, 12 different opinions.....). PG&E has suspended all human external cargo until further notice, so we are doing cargo only and the linemen will have to hike into and then climb their towers. This will double the work time for each structure being worked on.
RIP to all 3.
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 51
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From: USA
“PG&E has suspended all human external cargo until further notice, so we are doing cargo only and the linemen will have to hike into and then climb their towers.”
Are PG&E going to allow Skid transfers from the 500s while they suspend HEC for transferring the linemen from structure to structure? For the most part, the time difference between skid work and HEC is negligible.
Are PG&E going to allow Skid transfers from the 500s while they suspend HEC for transferring the linemen from structure to structure? For the most part, the time difference between skid work and HEC is negligible.
Last edited by hookes_joint; 5th June 2020 at 14:28.
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,081
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From: Redding CA, or on a fire somewhere
They have some of the strictest requirements for pilots in the industry--2,500 hours PIC and mandatory Wire Environment training. The wire training is also done by linemen in order to fly up front---if not then they patrol from the back seat and we send 2 pilots.
Why? Are you arguing the single vs twin thing again? From what I know, had nothing to do with this accident, or dare I say it the famous twin engine helicopter crash in January. Maybe we should be saying "Human cargo with a single pilot only", or "two pilots are better than two engines".....wow....mind blown....
There is a good chance that neither of these accidents would have occurred and 12 people would be alive today.
Joined: Mar 2019
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
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From: Europe
At about 1 p.m. the Bell 206 helicopter, contracted to fly on behalf of PG&E, came in contact with a 115 kilovolt power line near Vacaville, PG&E spokeswoman Tamar Sarkissian said.
The helicopter crashed at about 1:30 p.m. near Lyon and Soda Springs roads, a Federal Aviation Administration spokesman said.
The helicopter crashed at about 1:30 p.m. near Lyon and Soda Springs roads, a Federal Aviation Administration spokesman said.
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,081
Likes: 189
From: Redding CA, or on a fire somewhere
