Mon, Dec 22, 2008
Pilot Lost Control In Gusty Conditions
A helicopter stringing power lines
for Southern California Edison crashed last week when gusty winds
caused the pilot to lose control shortly after takeoff. A mechanic
on the ground was struck and killed by the aircraft's rotor
blades.
The helicopter was lifting a new power line in the Bouquet
Canyon area of Santa Clarita when the incident happened at 9:41 am
December 17, Los Angeles County Fire Inspector Ron Haralson
said.
"It was hovering above the ground. A gust of wind made the
helicopter spiral," Los Angeles County Fire Inspector Frank Garrido
said. The aircraft came to rest inverted, with the fuselage broken
in two, the Los Angeles Tribune reported.
The helicopter, a 2003 Kaman Aerospace K-1200 (similar to type
shown at right), was registered to Superior Leasing LLC of Grant's
Pass, OR, and operated by Swanson Aviation under contract to
Southern California Edison, for work on Edison's Tehachapi
Renewable Transmission Project.
The unidentified pilot received minor injuries but refused
medical treatment, Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian
Gregor said. The mechanic, employed by Swanson Aviation, was
identified by the coroner's office as Curtis Dale Cauthen, 31, from
Arizona.
A Southern California Edison spokesman said, "We were informed
almost immediately of the tragedy. Our condolences go out to the
company and the employees involved."
The National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA are
investigating the incident.
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