Investigators Suspect Air Angels 222 Struck Guy Wire In Downing Near Aurora

Video footage from a highway traffic camera may shed some light on last week's fatal crash of a medevac helicopter near Aurora, IL... by revealing whether or not warning lights on a 734-foot transmission tower near the accident site were operating.

The Plainfield (IL) Sun reports a security tape taken from an Aurora Transportation Center camera near Route 59 shows the tower's lights were on before the October 15 nighttime downing of a Bell 222 operated by Air Angels.

As ANN reported, four people onboard the helicopter (similar to type shown above) were killed, in the ninth fatal accident involving a medevac helicopter in the United States this year.

A preliminary report on the accident has not yet been released, though investigators suspect the helicopter clipped a guy wire supporting the transmission tower, which is partly operated by AM radio station WBIG-1320. Officials have questioned whether it was possible the helicopter's pilot might not have seen the tower.

WBIG President Rick Jakle says he never doubted the lights were on, though he was relieved to hear the tape supported his belief.

"Those lights are extremely reliable," he said. "They don't go out unless there is a thunderstorm or lightning. We're happy to hear the corroborating evidence, but the fact is, we knew they were on."

Investigators haven't stated whether or not the camera caught any images of the helicopter striking the guy wire. In the meantime, about half of the damaged tower was removed last weekend... and authorities are questioning whether it should be rebuilt.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov