5 Killed In Smoky Mt. Helicopter Crash

[vollygirl]

Damn.

 

[Nerd-Vol]

Always hurts when you put a face to things.

May God rest their souls.

 

[BearCat204]

Prayers for the families of all involved....tragic

 

[joevol33]

They have been operating since 1967 iirc. First serious accident. You ain't gonna quit driving are you? I have had three major automobile accidents that I'm blessed to have walked away from. Don't be afraid to live. Accidents are bound to happen doing anything.

True.

 

[rs16]

550 hours is not very experienced. It was really windy yesterday.

I graduated from Army flight school with 300+ hours.

 

[rs16]

Who decides if it's safe to fly in an operation like that? Those ultralight copters can't be very stable in gusty winds, I wouldn't think.

The Bell JetRanger is not an ultralight. That airframe is time-tested.

Windy days are not a good time to be low and slow. Running out of airspeed, altitude, and ideas is fatal.

 

[BearCat204]

The Bell JetRanger is not an ultralight. That airframe is time-tested.

Windy days are not a good time to be low and slow. Running out of airspeed, altitude, and ideas is fatal.

Not an ultralight, but it's a pretty small and light bird. Not sure KD was sure about the definition of a ultralight helo and was maybe using it as more of an adjective.

 

[InVOLuntary]

I saw yesterday that it was reported the pilot had 1300 or so hours.

 

[VolnJC]

I saw yesterday that it was reported the pilot had 1300 or so hours.

I wonder why the discrepency from the press conference from the NTSB? Do pilots keep one log for life or is it based on who they are working for at the time?

 

[rs16]

I wonder why the discrepency from the press conference from the NTSB? Do pilots keep one log for life or is it based on who they are working for at the time?

The company would keep their own records for the time he works for them, he might keep a personal log for his entire career.

 

[malinoisvol]

I wonder why the discrepency from the press conference from the NTSB? Do pilots keep one log for life or is it based on who they are working for at the time?

The news report on TV said 550 logged last year. Never seen it reported that way.

 

[InVOLuntary]

Maybe 550 while working for this company. All pilots keep a personal log. It's required. I have about 50 hrs.

 

[kiddiedoc]

Not an ultralight, but it's a pretty small and light bird. Not sure KD was sure about the definition of a ultralight helo and was maybe using it as more of an adjective.

Yes, thanks for clarifying.

 

[gordonr24]

Always hurts when you put a face to things.

May God rest their souls.

That's the worst.

 

[malinoisvol]

Update:

A witness who lived near the site of an accident where a sightseeing helicopter crashed killing five people said the helicopter was flying in a descent and it “didn’t sound right.

NTSB: Pigeon Forge helicopter rotor blades separated from main wreckage | WATE 6 On Your Side

 

[Sin City Vol]

Just took a flight over LV and it was raining. Never once felt worried or scared. feel sorry for the families but the investigation will be interesting