Sat, Aug 09, 2008
Nine Lost In S-61 Downing
Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board say
they're a little closer to determining the sequence of events that
led to the fatal downing of a firefighting helicopter in California
this week.
As ANN reported, nine people are missing and
presumed lost following the accident, which occurred near the
northern edge of the over 27-square-mile Buckhorn Fire, which is
burning in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest near Weaverville.
Four people were injured in the crash... which, contrary to earlier
reports, occurred as the helicopter was taking off, not
landing.
KABC-7 reports search crews have recovered the cockpit voice
recorder from the downed Sikorsky S-61. Furthermore, interviews
with survivors of the accident have revealed a possible cause of
the crash.
"The reports indicate that the liftoff was slower than normal,
that it rose about 40 to 50 feet, the forward motion of the
helicopter was slower than normal, the nose of the helicopter
struck a tree and there were several rotor strikes of trees that
followed," said Kitty Higgins of the National Transportation Safety
Board.
The helicopter -- which had been flying water drops and ferry
trips for crews battling the blaze -- came to rest on its side,
about 150 yards from the takeoff site. Despite the proximity to
smoke from the forest fire, conditions were reportedly clear at the
time of the crash, with light winds.
Of the survivors, two are listed in good condition, with one in
fair condition. A fourth survivor is still critical, though
reportedly stable.
A preliminary report on the accident should be issued by the
NTSB early next week.
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