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.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov, www.fs.fed.us/, www.carsonhelicopters.com/