(New York-WABC, May 5, 2004) -- A local news helicopter crashes while on assignment but all three people on board miraculously survive.
Newscopter Seven was back over the scene in Brooklyn today. However, the remains of the WNBC helicopter still lie on the roof where it crashed. Amazingly, no one on the ground was hurt.
Around 6:30 a.m. this morning, investigators were on the scene trying to figure out exactly what happened to cause the crash of the WNBC helicopter. According to the pilot of the chopper, he made some reference to his tail-rudder failing. That is something that the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) will look into as they conduct their investigation.
Later on today, the fuselage of the chopper will be removed from the roof and there will be a heavy-duty crane brought in to remove that.
Again, it is amazing that anyone survived this crash, but three people did and on Wednesday morning, they are all listed in stable condition.
The scene was nothing short of horrifying for those who saw it from the air.
Shannon Sohn, Eyewitness News Helicopter Reporter: "You're hoping they're able to get out of it, and then you're just hoping you can help them. You're wondering what's going through their minds, through the minds of those who know and love them as they see it happening on the air. It's just a horrible, horrible thing to witness."
And residents who heard it from the ground.
Resident: "I heard it and I said to my sister, don't let it fall on my roof."
It happened at about 6:20 p.m. on Tuesday evening. The WNBC helicopter was returning from a story in Brooklyn when something went horribly wrong. Our Newscopter Seven videotaped the scene as it unfolded while our pilot radioed-in a mayday for help.
In the dramatic video, you could see the WNBC helicopter suddenly start to nosedive. The pilot recovers briefly, but not for long. The chopper then started to sputter wobbling from side-to-side out of control. The chopper clipped a smokestack and then the body of the aircraft slammed down on a roof and breaks into pieces. Moments later, reporter Andrew Torres got out of the chopper and motioned for help. All three people made it out of the wreckage alive.
Resident: "I heard the rumbling and the vibration of the chopper as it neared the ground."
On the ground, emergency crews evacuated nearby residents fearing the chopper could explode at any moment.
Resident: "I was getting ready to go out and eventually I heard a crash."
Capt. Paul Smith, NewsCopter 7 Pilot: You have a feeling of helplessness, because. We're all kind of brothers. We all fly , we fly in close proximity, and we work well together even though we compete. You want to be able to help, but you can't."
The building where the chopper crash remained evacuated on Wednesday morning. Also, the fuel that remains on top of the building has to be mopped up. Then building investigators will come in to check on the building's integrity today. If the building is considered safe, people will be allowed to go back in the building.
Related:
