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News Helos Collide in Arizona
CNN is streaming raw video of what looks like two burned crash sites...
"Two news helicopters from KNXV and KTVK have collided in Phoenix, AZ." |
Two ENG helicopters collide
Two ENG helicopters have just collided over Phoenix, Arizona. From the pictures on Fox News it doesn't look good for those on board. Sad day for all involved. Prayers for the families and friends.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,291233,00.html barryb |
Early reports state three people dead. Helicopters were filming a police chase when the crash occurred. At least one appears to have gone down in a residential neighbourhood. Sad stuff.
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Now looks like at least four dead...
One of the PHX stations is streaming live local coverage, link at www.azfamily.com |
Screen grab of a witness photohttp://www.etribes.com/sites/etribes...20crash.jpg?78
More streaming video here... http://mfile.akamai.com/22350/live/r...asx?bkup=34964 My prayers and sympathies to all those involved RIP CptJim |
Astar N613TV Channel 3 Phoenix
http://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/photo/019984L.html
http://www.breitbart.tv/html/3645.html Live coverage from Channel 15 helicopter as collision occured. |
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" The police chief said the suspect will likely face criminal charges for the deaths in the helicopter crash."
I don't see how the suspect in the police chase can be held responsible for the crash. Seems absurd. |
don't see how the suspect in the police chase can be held responsible for the crash. Seems absurd. Sadly all he probably will be charged with is Manslaughter. |
I was thiking the same, but it makes sence when you put it like that Con Pilot.
- M |
but.....the helicopters were chasing the chase, not avoiding any actions associated with that chase. Kind of like me standing around watching a bank robbery from the other side of the street, then stepping off the curb in front of a car and getting hit because I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing. I don't think the robbers are going to get bonus jail time because I got hit by a car.
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N215TV Channel 15 Astar AS350SB
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Firstly, it is with profound regret that we learn of the 4-fatal mid-air collision in Arizona. Needless to say a melancholic haze descends on the pprune community every time there is an accident and loss of life.
The pilot to pilot audio comm has been posted on the ABC news site. One pilot is heard reporting his position as directly under the other helicopter, then there is brief confusion as to who is on top of who, then the pilot goes back to live reporting of the chase (the pilot serves a dual role, that of pilot and that of live to air reporter). Then a few seconds later there is the mid-air collision, an expletive, and the audio clip stops. From initial listening of the audio it is not apparent that the situational awareness confusion was resolved before the pilot went back to reporting what was unfolding on the ground. It is difficult to understand how the collision unfolded when at least one pilot was in sight of the other, and both pilots knew of their close proximity to another aircraft, al-be-it some confusion as to who was positioned on top of who. Hopefully all will be revealed at the subsequent investigation. |
Very sobering video, shows what a tenuous grip we have on life. Condolences. The American legal system though has surely risen to a new level of lunacy if they think they can pin the accident on the fleeing felon.
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It is of course tragic that four people have lost their lives and there will be many families affected by this. My condolances to all, however (as a non rotorhead) lets not get carried away blaming the car driver.
I'm afraid that this type of accident was just waiting to happen. The only odd thing is that it hasn't happend before. The way any helicopter is allowed to operate in the US amazes me - I've seen R22s for example, approach and depart landing sites over crowds of 1000s of people. The FAA would have made better use of their time looking at real flight safety issues such as this, rather than worrying about BA747s on three engines or whether Joe Bloggs from Southend doing his PPL stateside was a terrorist threat. After all, they ask you on the visa waiver form if you are a terrorist. |
Germany passed a regulation some time ago forbidding circling of accident or other happenings in order to keep just such things from happening and to keep private (news) helicopters out of the way of police or rescue helicopters!
What is so interesting about a car chase that TWO tv channels have to cover it and get in harms way? Sorry.... sympathies to the families, but it was an accident waiting to happen..... :( |
Not two, three or more.
KTVK and KNXV collided.
"Aerial footage from another station covering the chase, KPNX-TV, showed large plumes of black smoke and flames coming from the wreckage." KPHO had one in the air too. I suppose the police may have had an aircraft in the air. That is FIVE. Slow news day? KSAZ was in the air too... |
It is normal in the states. In fact in some cities you can subscribe to text alerts to let you know when a chase is on TV.
I think in LA its not uncommon for there to be 15 helis in the chase (police and media). |
Social Darwinism
The lyrics to Don Henley's Dirty Laundry sums it up quite nicely:
I make my living off the evening news Just give me something-something I can use People love it when you lose, They love dirty laundry Well, I coulda been an actor, but I wound up here I just have to look good, I dont have to be clear Come and whisper in my ear Give us dirty laundry Kick em when theyre up Kick em when theyre down Kick em when theyre up Kick em when theyre down Kick em when theyre up Kick em when theyre down Kick em when theyre up Kick em all around We got the bubble-headed-bleach-blonde who Comes on at five She can tell you bout the plane crash with a gleam In her eye Its interesting when people die- Give us dirty laundry Can we film the operation? Is the head dead yet? You know, the boys in the newsroom got a Running bet Get the widow on the set! We need dirty laundry You dont really need to find out whats going on You dont really want to know just how far its gone Just leave well enough alone Eat your dirty laundry Kick em when theyre up Kick em when theyre down Kick em when theyre up Kick em when theyre down Kick em when theyre up Kick em when theyre down Kick em when theyre stiff Kick em all around Dirty little secrets Dirty little lies We got our dirty little fingers in everybodys pie We love to cut you down to size We love dirty laundry We can do the innuendo We can dance and sing When its said and done we havent told you a thing We all know that crap is king Give us dirty laundry! |
However tragic this was, it was also very predictable and just a matter of time. The other News Helicopters then filming the downed birds just summed up the consideration any media organization has towards for other people's tragedies - it sells ratings. Eating their own young indeed.
CHAPTER I--FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (CONTINUED) PART 91--GENERAL OPERATING AND FLIGHT RULES--Table of Contents Subpart B--Flight Rules Sec. 91.111 Operating near other aircraft. (a) No person may operate an aircraft so close to another aircraft as to create a collision hazard. (b) No person may operate an aircraft in formation flight except by arrangement with the pilot in command of each aircraft in the formation. (c) No person may operate an aircraft, carrying passengers for hire, in formation flight. |
What a terrible waste of lives.
Following in Bokkenrijder's footsteps, I'm sure this echoes the feelings of many of us these days... (From Simon & Garfunkel's Only Living Boy in New York). I get the news I need on the weather report - I gather all the news I need on the weather report |
Thoughts are with the families
Sounds like a very high work load.
My condolenses to the family members. |
Video clip, Very Sad R.I.P
http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/myfox/pa...Y&pageId=1.1.1 |
condolences to those left behind......
Maybe now some of us will realise why, A.) TRA`s are put in place at the earliest opportunities at major incidents B.) The CAA may be extremely harsh in certain areas but its a sobering thought that at least something like this scenario is less likely to happen in the uk due to their regs(5/6 news helo`s chasing the best image of a vehicle pursuit). Putting that aside though RIP:( |
From the links above.
A horrifying scene, as 2 news helicopters crash in mid-air while covering a police pursuit in uptown Phoenix. Four men, longtime journalists and pilots died in that crash above Steel Indian School Park. Killed on board the KTVK helicopter were pilot Scott Bowerbank and photographer Jim Cox, the station reported. On board the KNXV aircraft were reporter-pilot Craig Smith and photographer Rick Krolak, the station reported. |
" The police chief said the suspect will likely face criminal charges for the deaths in the helicopter crash." I cant't believe it! Isn't the pilot the final authority regarding all aspects of flight due to the FAA AIM? Is a clebrity also responsible if a paparazzi gets hurt while trying to get a picture? |
@ (JetRanger) 214
do you think he was thinking about ratings while watching his colleagues spiral to the ground? Who cares about the people involved, as long as you arrive first on the scene and can make a quick buck getting the 'exclusive and dramatic footage' on the 6 'o clock news. Let's honest, it's the ONLY purpose that those helicopters are flying through the sky in the first place. Filming a cop writing out a parking ticket is boring. Filming blood, explosions, violence, death and destruction SELLS! That's the purpose, not news. |
214,
I think your stance is a bit difficult to justify, given that all the media outlets with ANY footage seem to have been racing to be first with the news. If some one had decided not to broadcast out of a feeling of decency or whatever, then your view might be backed by some evidence. Guys RIP. |
I had no idea most of these guys actually report the news as well as fly.
Why? Why don't they have a reporter? Do people not see that this type of thing has been waiting to happen under that workload? Its just like driving while talking on the cell phone. My thoughts are very much with the families. |
gulliBell
the pilot serves a dual role, that of pilot and that of live to air reporter TwoOneFour If you'd bothered to follow the events, rather than volunteering your 'expertise' on journalism, you'd have seen for yourself how much the accident shocked not only those on the stations affected, but those on the 'rival' helos' stations. Yes, I am very sad that it happened and can only hope that the FAA regulates more closely, as the corporate demand has led to these deaths. Free enterprise is a wonderful thing but ... Undoubtedly, also, the personal challenge is immense and rewarding on many levels but ... |
Hello,
Why? Why don't they have a reporter? Primary ..cause weight..... ! Those small choppers are very sensible regard fuel consumption if you have weight.... Less weight is more flying time between refueling .... And also ..after all ...the cost :) Regards. http://smilies.sofrayt.com/%5E/a/bye.gif |
I'm sure that friends and colleagues of those tragically killed will read this forum, so please let the dust settle a little and be sensitive with your comments guys.
Condolences to friends and families. |
Why?...... Primary ..cause weight..... ! Those small choppers are very sensible regard fuel consumption if you have weight.... Less weight is more flying time between refueling .... And also ..after all ...the cost |
just out of curiosity.
one was a squirrel, what was the other chopper ? looked like a JR or 500? sad footage indeed. |
The two aircraft involved were registered as N215TV, and N613TV - Both AS350B2's.
RIP & condolences - sad day. Coconutty |
Risking all in an effort to save lives I can understand.
Risking all for the latest scoop (and what is so special about another car theft) is silly. To hear the casualties being described as "warriors on the frontline of newsgathering" sounds positively disturbed. To die in a stupid and preventable accident does not make one a hero, sad though it is. Methinks reassessing priorities might be called for?:ugh: |
'There's a strict dividing line between the duty of pilot and cameraman on board a news chopper - the cameraman knows that the pilot has full authority over air safety, and doesn't tell the pilot what to do: he just takes whatever pictures he can from the vantage point available' Leaving dedicated talent (the term is used loosely) on the ground and elevating the pilot to the role of on-air personality has blurred the lines between what is good for the aircraft and what is good for the station. Pilots don goofy hats; talk into the camera; even take their dog onboard (Molly the Flying Dog, I kid you not). You have to ask yourself: who's flying the aircraft? No disrespect intended to anyone involved. |
Because of weight, they have no reporters..?
What? AS350B2's and no space or performance for extra reporter. That is not true. Only reason must be extra costs. That is the reason for many safety problems. We don't have to accept that in our job. My deepest condolences to the families involved. Hostile. |
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I find it incredible that a pilot would be asked to double up to do anything except fly the bird. Ludicrous. < or deliver weapons, or perform a scout mission, or pipeline patrol, or search for victims, or log, or... |
JimEli, three, maybe four out of your five examples are mostly done by two-pilot crews...
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