Worldcrime Posted March 13, 2008 Posted March 13, 2008 Fatal Helicopter Crash South of Monkey Junction WHQR Newsroom WILMINGTON, NC (2008-03-13) An small helicopter crashed this morning near Carolina Beach Road, south of Monkey Junction. There are reports of one fatality in the crash of the two-seat private helicopter, which went down around 10:15 near the intersection of Carolina Beach Road and Sanders Road. Airport officials are trying to confirm that the craft was based at Wilmington International Airport. Airport operations manager Gary Broughton says the craft appears to be a Robinson R22 Beta, which he described as a "trainer" helicopter. Traffic in the area is not being diverted, but rubber-neckers are causing some delays. If you have any information about the crash, please give us a call at 343-1640 WILMINGTON, N.C. — Authorities in costal North Carolina say a helicopter has crashed in Wilmington, and a newspaper is reporting that one person has died. New Hanover County Sheriff's Office Supervisor Debbie Broyles said Thursday that deputies received a call shortly before 10 a.m that a helicopter had crashed and exploded. Investigators from her department and several agencies are at the scene. She says it appears it was a two-seat helicopter. Citing officials, the Star-News of Wilmington reported one person died in the accident posted by richard http://www.heli-safety.comhttp://www.heli-wear.com Quote
Billwants2fly Posted March 13, 2008 Posted March 13, 2008 My thoughts and prayers go out to the pilot and his family. I live in wilmington nc I was wondering why traffic was so backed up on carolina beach road...when I got home I heard why Quote
Billwants2fly Posted March 13, 2008 Posted March 13, 2008 Helicopter pilot identified as Wilmington firefighterBy Patrick Gannon and Veronica GonzalezStaff Writers Published: Thursday, March 13, 2008 at 12:53 p.m. Staff Photo | Paul Stephen Investigators examine the wreckage of a helicopter that crashed this morning. Related Links:- Click here for images of the crash siteThe pilot who died in this morning’s small helicopter crash has been tentatively identified as John C. Miller, a captain with the Wilmington Fire Department, said Sgt. Craig Bredenbeck of the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office. The medical examiner will conduct an autopsy and make an official identification, Bredenbeck said. Miller left Wilmington International Airport about 9:40 a.m., Bredenbeck said. Airport officials said that Miller wasn’t required to file a flight plan but told air traffic controllers he was headed south. Miller recently began operating a helicopter flight school and may have been on his way to pick up a student, ILM officials said. Miller had worked for the fire department since November 1990, according to the city’s human relations department. Local firefighters were gathering at the Moose Lodge at 4610 Carolina Beach Road. N.C. State Highway Patrol 1st Sgt. J.O. Holmes was at the crash scene, which he described as “very contained.” As investigators combed through the wreckage, the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office helicopter circled overhead. “There’s not much left,” Holmes said. Bredenbeck said Highway Patrol would lead the investigation into the crash. He also said officials from the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board were on their way to the scene. Kathleen Bergen, a spokeswoman for the Federal Aviation Administration, said the registered owner is listed as Maintenance Services LLC of Rocky Point. According to the N.C. Secretary of State, Miller owned that company. The Robinson R22 Beta helicopter was manufactured in 2000. The FAA is investigating the crash and the National Transportation Safety Board will determine the cause, Bergen said. Quote
JDHelicopterPilot Posted March 14, 2008 Posted March 14, 2008 My thoughts and prayers to friends and family as well. Quote
bossman Posted March 14, 2008 Posted March 14, 2008 A sad day and a sad time. Wishing the family well. All in the helicopter community are feeling your loss. Quote
lwalling Posted March 15, 2008 Posted March 15, 2008 I heard about this today and was wondering what happened. Any line on the cause(s) ? Quote
Billwants2fly Posted March 15, 2008 Posted March 15, 2008 I heard about this today and was wondering what happened. Any line on the cause(s) ? They said it could be weeks or months before they know. One eywitness said the helicopter was spinning before it crashed. Quote
Worldcrime Posted March 18, 2008 Author Posted March 18, 2008 Feds to Investigate North Carolina Helicopter CrashMarch 17, 2008 A Wilmington, N.C. fire captain died last week when his helicopter crashed and exploded near the city, authorities said. John Miller was the only passenger in the helicopter, said Sgt. Craig Bredenbeck of the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office. He was headed south when the two-seat aircraft began spinning out of control. "We don't know where he was going but we know he crashed shortly after takeoff,'' he said. He said the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the accident. Debbie Broyles, the sheriff's office supervisor, said March 13 that deputies received a call shortly before 10 a.m that a helicopter had crashed. The aircraft, a Robinson R22, was built in 2000, Wilmington International Airport Director Jon Rosborough said. Miller wasn't required to file a flight plan, he said. Several people said they saw the helicopter in trouble. Jerry Dreisbach told the Star-News of Wilmington he was outside when he looked up and saw a helicopter "spinning in the air.'' "Before you know it, it was coming down. It crashed and exploded into flames, smoking,'' he said. "When you see something like that before you, you're amazed. It can't be, but it was.'' Nelson Cook, who was outside, also looked up when he heard a loud noise. "It sounded like the engine blew up.'' Quote
Goldy Posted March 18, 2008 Posted March 18, 2008 From what the witness statements have said, sounds like a classic low g tailboom strike. I hate to make any assumptions prior to an NTSB report...but it has all the right ingredients. Prayers to the family,Goldy Quote
FlyNHighNFast Posted March 18, 2008 Posted March 18, 2008 From what the witness statements have said, sounds like a classic low g tailboom strike. I hate to make any assumptions prior to an NTSB report...but it has all the right ingredients. Goldy: I was thinking the same, but the official report will tell. I almost got to fly that ship, but it moved on to the now deceased pilot just before I started training. May the soul of John Miller rest in peace. Quote
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