Posted on 01/29/2020 9:00:09 AM PST by BenLurkin
As federal investigators wrapped up operations at the crash site, the NTSB's Jennifer Homendy said preliminary information suggests the helicopter descended rapidly and was likely in one piece before it slammed into the hill.
"The descent rate for the helicopter was over 2,000 feet a minute, so we know that this was a high energy impact crash," Homendy said. "This is a pretty steep descent at high speed. So it wouldn't be a normal landing speed."
The crash occurred about 1,085 feet above sea level, missing the top of the hill by 20 to 30 feet, investigators said. Parts of the helicopter were found scattered around a crash site that stretched 500 to 600 feet, the NTSB said.
The helicopter did not have a terrain awareness and warning system -- a safety feature which provides the pilot with information about the terrain, Homendy said. The NTSB recommended that similar helicopters be equipped with the system after a fatal Texas crash in 2004 that killed 10 people.
(Excerpt) Read more at ktla.com ...
I know. . .imagine that. . .”witnesses” all have different ideas to what they “heard.”
I’m shocked, I tell ya, shocked.
when it comes to flying, missing the top of the hill 20-30 feet is the same as missing it by 200-300 feet.
Passenger error: getting in the helicopter.
Pilot error: taking off.
Pilot error: flying into the hillside.
Very sad for those involved, their families and friends.
You are correct, except it will take the NTSB 18 months to 2 years to come up with that conclusion.
There is no doubt this is exactly what happened.
I’ve been wondering if they’re going to examine any texts that AM between Kobe and the pilot, such as pilot being pressured, “We have to make the game, now there’s no time to drive,” etc.
Still, pilot is the one who has to say No.
KNX or KFI ran tape of a pilot who had been riding his mountain bike in the hills where the crash occurred. I’m pretty sure that he was one of the two mountain bikers who were reported to be standing a mere 200 feet from the crash when it occurred. They saw it emerge from the fog and slam into the hill. Anyway the pilot said that he didn’t hear any sign of engine trouble.
“I know. . .imagine that. . .”witnesses” all have different ideas to what they “heard.”
One of the witnesses interviewed Sunday morning on LA radio was a pilot who had been riding his mountain bike in the hills. He may have been one of the two mountain bikers who saw it emerge from the fog and slam into the hill about 200 feet from where they were standing.
“I know. . .imagine that. . .”witnesses” all have different ideas to what they “heard.”
One of the witnesses interviewed Sunday morning on LA radio was a pilot who had been riding his mountain bike in the hills. He may have been one of the two mountain bikers who saw it emerge from the fog and slam into the hill about 200 feet from where they were standing.
To me that is an important factor, and knowing visibility was limited, and not having that terrain awareness feature in that helicopter, is a good reason to wait out the fog, or not go. -Tom
Worth posting twice.
;-)
Or a pilot that made a very bad decision. . .ONCE.
Sadly, historical numbers support pilot error. . .over 80% of mishaps were found to be pilot error. Went to the USAF Flight Mishap investigator course. At the time, it was within the University of Southern California.
Very good course, well instructed and very detailed how “they” find cause. Fun part was field work, where the class went to this huge field littered with aircraft and had a Class A mishap. Learned investigator techniques, learned about reliability of witnesses and what to look for and put it all together and present our findings.
Excellent course and used that training a couple of times during my Air Force career. Awful, just awful when a death is involved. The condition of the pilot/aircrew makes things difficult to remain detached when investigating.
Emphasis! My keyboard decides when repetition is important.
Same here. . .we only think we are in control. . .
The flight deviated just short of the field. Seems very uncharacteristic to be that bad of a pilot.
Perhaps. . .but how many pilots and aircrew have been lost because they flew into the ground. . .even in clear air.
Answer: Too many, but it does happen.
In the game of helicopters as in so many close doesn’t count.
Juan Browne mentioned in yesterdays update that the pilot might have been trying to find a sheriff office helo pad before he crashed. The helo pad was about a half mile from the church parking lot where a witness heard the helicopter hovering low. Juan said they may never know the pilot’s intent because the helicopter had no black boxes.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.