Posted on 10/21/2024 5:58:32 AM PDT by Red Badger
HOUSTON — A helicopter crashed into a radio tower, killing multiple people, including a child, near downtown Houston Sunday night, according to the Houston Fire Department.
HFD received a report around 7:55 p.m. of the crash near Engelke Street near Ennis Street and Navigation Boulevard, causing the fire to break out.
What we know right now Crash happened around 7:55 p.m. near Engelke Street near Ennis Street in the Second Ward Four people, including a child, on board the R44 aircraft died in the crash, their identities have not been released The helicopter was coming from Ellington Airport, but its destination remains unclear If you find debris, don’t touch it and call 911 The FAA, NTSB, HFD, and HPD are investigating the crash FAA noted that the radio tower's lights had been reported as inoperable on Oct. 16 Houston Mayor John Whitmire, HFD Chief Thomas Muñoz, HPD Chief Noe Diaz, and DPS gathered for a news conference following the crash. Mayor Whitmire said the HFD was there within minutes.
“We got a fire station, 17, one of our major stations a block away,” he said. “They heard the explosion and responded. First ones on the scene were Houston fire to secure the area, make sure considerations for electricity, gas, and other provisions were taken care of. “
Officials confirmed all four people on the helicopter, including a child, died in the crash. Their names and ages have not been released. According to Diaz, family members haven't been notified yet.
"This is a tragic event tonight. A tragic loss of life," Diaz said.
The helicopter was an R44 private aircraft coming from Ellington Airport, about 17 miles from the crash site. At this point, it's not clear where the helicopter was going.
(Excerpt) Read more at khou.com ...
Sad Aviation Ping...............
Who was the pilot?
Someone who disregarded NOTAMs..................
In addition some of the lights of the tower may not have been operating. Footage seen on Twitter shows the copter colliding with the tower.
Notice to Air Mission and the pilot can’t see either?
It was dark and the lights were not working. But should have avoided the area entirely...................
Oh no, the lights were out on the tower. Big lawsuit coming.
Oops I see above that was mentioned in news.
radiodiscussions Houston board:
>>The tower’s lights had been out three days:
>>>Obstacle lights out of service since 17 OCT
Another post on board
>>It looks like at least one of the lights was on (which could mean the NOTAM was likely due to one light being out).
This feels like pilot error.
The FAA had been notified and a NOTAM had been issued..........
I hope the tower operator/owner has good insurance.
There are several towers in the area, from 400' to 1,000' tall.
https://vfrmap.com/?type=vfrc&lat=29.607&lon=-95.159&zoom=10&api_key=763xxE1MJHyhr48DlAP2qQ
Four people, including a child,
I see no point in noting that a child was on board.
Adults can choose whether or not to board an aircraft, a child cannot.......
Another report I read said the FAA was asking nearby residents to check their backyards for human remains.
Very sad.
On the above linked crash videos a flashing light on the tower is visible a few feet above where the helicopter struck the tower. I could discern no other tower lights. I don’t know the regs about what lights must be present, but disregarding that light seems negligent.
I saw that as well..............
Why don’t helicopters fly higher then any obstacles so this does not happen?
Kobi Bryant helicopter flew below the hill tops in the fog when it was blue skies above the hilltops. They crashed.
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.