Thu, Oct 06, 2011
NTSB Says Pilot Made Flight Under Part 91 Rules
The NTSB has recovered the wreckage of a Bell 206B helicopter
which went down Tuesday in the East River in New York City, and
part of the investigation is focusing on a broken main rotor blade,
according to NTSB Member Mark Rosekind.
Rosekind (L), Lead Investigator Ralph
Hicks (YouTube)
Rosekind spoke to members of the media Tuesday in New York City.
He said the mostly-intact aircraft has been recovered from the
river and moved to a secure facility at Floyd Benett Field, and
that a part of one of the main rotor blades was "missing." Rosekind
said it has not been determined whether the blade was damaged
before the aircraft went down, or as the result of the impact with
the water.
In the briefing posted by the NTSB to Youtube, Rosekind said
that video has been identified from multiple sources and is being
reviewed. Witnesses have also been identified and interviewed. In
an initial interview, the pilot told investigators that he has
2,200 hours total flight time. 1,500 in helicopters, 500 in Bell
206s over the past 5 years. He did report having a problem
immediately after takeoff, though Rosekind would not be specific
about what kind of problem had been reported.
Rosekind stressed that the flight was conducted under Part 91 of
the FARs, meaning that it was not part of a helicopter tour
operation, nor was it revenue-generating for the pilot. He said
investigators will be looking at the weather, as winds can have a
significant effect on helicopter operations. The NTSB is also
continuing to identify witnesses and conduct interviews with
them.
Parties to the investigation include the FAA, Rolls-Royce, and
Bell Helicopter, which will participate as a technical advisor in
the investigation through the Canadian Transportation Safety
Board.
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