Two killed in Texas crash- Owner of Leading Edge- NV

[Goldy]

I didnt see this posted anywhere, so I put it up. I hate seeing this, and offer it only with the most respect to the families, but many in the helicopter community may not yet have heard.

 

Copied from a news article on the web:

 

 

The helicopter that went down in rural Caddo Parish on Wednesday, killing two people, was a refurbished Fairchild-Hiller 1100 headed to Nevada.

 

The owner, Benjamin Grammer, had just purchased the chopper from Van Nevel Helicopters in Century, Fla., and was en route to his flight training school just outside of Las Vegas, according to the Caddo sheriff's office.

 

 

"I want to know the reason why it went down," Grammer's brother James, of Tucson, Ariz., said. "He was a very, very good pilot and he had a natural knack for it. He was just natural at it. It was amazing how good he was."

 

Family members say Grammer planned the trip to Florida almost two weeks ago.

 

About 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, witnesses in an area off state Highway 2, just west of Hosston, reported hearing a low-flying aircraft and then a crash.

 

Two hours later, authorities found the wreckage in the woods along with the bodies of Grammer and 24-year-old Jeffery Daniel Legro.

 

Officials with the Federal Aviation Administration initially were scheduled to be in town Thursday to begin their investigation. However, their trip was postponed until today.

 

The FAA will look at many factors, including the pilots' report, according to officials. It could be a year before a preliminary report on the cause of the crash is released.

 

"There will be a huge paper trail," said Roland Herwig, FAA spokesman. "They look at the air traffic area and the mechanical area, including the fluids the aircraft may have been serviced with. The investigation also includes everything about the pilots and their credentials, along with that of the manufacturer of the helicopter."

 

Herwig said the fact that the chopper was refurbished isn't unusual; most aircraft have been overhauled several times.

 

The wreckage remains in the wooded area, awaiting the arrival of FAA, and is being secured by Caddo deputies.

 

"It's a scientific process, and how long they are there is a matter of what they find and how hard it is to dig things out of the ground," Herwig said.

 

James Grammer last spoke with his brother Sept. 2, when the two were on a vacation in Alaska.

 

Benjamin started flying about four years ago and has been a flight instructor about two years. Leading Edge Rotor Craft, his flight school, has three helicopters and averages about 12 students.

 

"He was a wonderful man and very giving," James Grammer said. "He loved to fly; he's been wanting to fly since he was a child.

 

"This probably is the only way he would have wanted to pass. I'm sad but I'm happy he was doing something he enjoyed."

Edited September 16, 2007 by Goldy

[klmmarine]

That is two FH-1100s down in two days this week. I hope that they figure out what happened.

[hotrodturbo7]

That is two FH-1100s down in two days this week. I hope that they figure out what happened.

 

where was the other one?

[Gomer Pylot]

Just a nitpick - 'Caddo Parish' is in Louisiana, not Texas. Louisiana is the only state with parishes, not counties.

[ADRidge]

I was just thinking the same thing, Gomer.

[captkirkyota]

Bummer, heartfelt condolences to the families.

[Elvis]

where was the other one?

 

Is this it?

 

 

IDENTIFICATION

Regis#: 6014U Make/Model: FH11 Description: FH-1100

Date: 09/11/2007 Time: 1800

 

Event Type: Accident Highest Injury: Minor Mid Air: N Missing: N

Damage: Destroyed

 

LOCATION

City: CAMANO ISLAND State: WA Country: US

 

DESCRIPTION

N6014U, AN EXPERIMENTAL HILLER FH-1100 ROTORCRAFT, ON LANDING, LOST CONTROL

AND TIPPED OVER, CAMANO ISLAND, WA

 

INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 0

# Crew: 3 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 3 Unk:

# Pass: 0 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:

# Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:

 

WEATHER: NOT REPORTED

 

OTHER DATA

Activity: Unknown Phase: Landing Operation: OTHER

 

 

FAA FSDO: SEATTLE, WA (NM01) Entry date: 09/12/2007

[klmmarine]

Yep, that is the other one. I saw the pictures on the news it is pretty amazing that the two people walked away from this one.

[mikey01]

Jeffrey Legro the second pilot in the crash was my best friend from the time we were 2 or 3 yrs old. he was a great pilot and so was Benji. There was no way that crash was due to pilot error. on behalf of Jeffrey's family and friends we appreciate all of your condolences that we have read in comment sections on most of the news and various sites. we miss you Jeff.

[BOATFIXERGUY]

Condolences Mikey...

 

It hits us all really hard when its someone we know.

 

john