New details have emerged from the federal government's preliminary investigation into the deadly crash of a TV news helicopter in the woods of southern New Jersey last month.
According to the National Transportation Safety Board, WPVI-TV's “Chopper 6” was returning from a mission to report on Christmas lights on the Jersey Shore just after 8 p.m. on Dec. 19 when it arrived at the Wharton State Forest in Washington Township, Burlington County. It crashed in the park. (NTSB) said in its preliminary report.
Investigators said the Eurocopter AS350B2 helicopter was flying at an altitude of about 1,000 feet when it drifted to the right and began descending, then gained speed for several minutes before crashing. The engine was inspected and found to be ok.
The preliminary report stated that “no engine abnormalities were found that would preclude normal operation.''
A small collision between two Boeing planes was reported at Chicago O'Hare.No injuries confirmed
On December 19th, a news helicopter crashed in a forest in New Jersey, killing two people. (WTXF)
The wreckage report detailed that much of the helicopter suffered heavy impact and was damaged by debris separation from the post-impact fire.
Investigators said this was the third flight of the day for the helicopter and its crew, and that the helicopter had been refueled before the accident.
15 years after the aviation drama “Miracle on the Hudson,'' a “wonderful'' hero pilot still attracts attention.
The Philadelphia ABC affiliate identified the victims as 67-year-old pilot Monroe Smith and 45-year-old photographer Christopher Dougherty, both of Pennsylvania.
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The cause of the fatal crash remains unclear, but investigators say a final report could take a year and a half to complete.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
