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New York helicopter crash: Pilot 'did not know where he was' | New York helicopter crash: Pilot 'did not know where he was' |
(about 4 hours later) | |
The pilot of a helicopter who died when he crash-landed on top of a skyscraper in Manhattan, New York, this month "did not know where he was", a preliminary report has said. | The pilot of a helicopter who died when he crash-landed on top of a skyscraper in Manhattan, New York, this month "did not know where he was", a preliminary report has said. |
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said he asked to return to a heliport shortly after taking off amid bad weather. | The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said he asked to return to a heliport shortly after taking off amid bad weather. |
Tim McCormack, 58, was the only person on board when he crashed on 10 June. | Tim McCormack, 58, was the only person on board when he crashed on 10 June. |
His helicopter burst into flames on hitting the 54-floor building. | His helicopter burst into flames on hitting the 54-floor building. |
At the time, New York state Governor Andrew Cuomo said the incident brought back painful memories to New Yorkers, who "have a level of PTSD from 9/11". | At the time, New York state Governor Andrew Cuomo said the incident brought back painful memories to New Yorkers, who "have a level of PTSD from 9/11". |
"So as soon as you hear an aircraft hit a building, I think my mind goes where every New Yorker's mind goes," he said. | "So as soon as you hear an aircraft hit a building, I think my mind goes where every New Yorker's mind goes," he said. |
How did the crash happen? | How did the crash happen? |
An initial report by the NTSB said the pilot had originally departed from Bel-Aire Farms Heliport, in New York state, with another pilot-rated passenger at about 10:30 local time (15:30 GMT). | An initial report by the NTSB said the pilot had originally departed from Bel-Aire Farms Heliport, in New York state, with another pilot-rated passenger at about 10:30 local time (15:30 GMT). |
He then briefly refuelled in Poughkeepsie, before flying to East 34th Street heliport in the city, where his passenger departed. | He then briefly refuelled in Poughkeepsie, before flying to East 34th Street heliport in the city, where his passenger departed. |
The report says McCormack waited there in a lounge for about two hours, amid rainy and foggy weather conditions. | The report says McCormack waited there in a lounge for about two hours, amid rainy and foggy weather conditions. |
He then reportedly told staff he saw a "20-minute window to make it out" towards his final destination of Linden, New Jersey, and he departed at about 13:30 local time. | He then reportedly told staff he saw a "20-minute window to make it out" towards his final destination of Linden, New Jersey, and he departed at about 13:30 local time. |
The report says about five to seven minutes after take-off, he then "contacted Atlantic Aviation and made a request to return to the heliport". | The report says about five to seven minutes after take-off, he then "contacted Atlantic Aviation and made a request to return to the heliport". |
After being advised to land, he then radioed to say he "did not know where he was". | After being advised to land, he then radioed to say he "did not know where he was". |
The NTSB said he flew erratically over the city's East River, changing course and altitude several times before making a dramatic turn and straying over Manhattan. | The NTSB said he flew erratically over the city's East River, changing course and altitude several times before making a dramatic turn and straying over Manhattan. |
He eventually struck the 54-storey AXA Equitable building at 787 Seventh Avenue - close to Times Square. | |
Eyewitnesses at the scene described the building shaking with impact. There were no other casualties. | Eyewitnesses at the scene described the building shaking with impact. There were no other casualties. |
The NTSB said all major components of the twin-engine Agusta A109E helicopter were found at the accident site, but "small pieces of debris were recovered from the 50th floor and street level". | The NTSB said all major components of the twin-engine Agusta A109E helicopter were found at the accident site, but "small pieces of debris were recovered from the 50th floor and street level". |
The helicopter, which was used for executive travel, had been inspected the month before, according to the report. | The helicopter, which was used for executive travel, had been inspected the month before, according to the report. |
Who was the pilot? | Who was the pilot? |
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records show McCormack, who was a volunteer firefighter, had been certified in 2004 to fly helicopters and single-engine airplanes. | Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records show McCormack, who was a volunteer firefighter, had been certified in 2004 to fly helicopters and single-engine airplanes. |
At the time of his death, he was qualified to fly commercially and as an instructor and had accrued more than 2,800 flight hours. | At the time of his death, he was qualified to fly commercially and as an instructor and had accrued more than 2,800 flight hours. |
In the aftermath of the crash, McCormack's family described him as a "caring and compassionate man who put others first over himself". | In the aftermath of the crash, McCormack's family described him as a "caring and compassionate man who put others first over himself". |
Their statement said they believed he had landed on the roof "so that it didn't impact anyone else's life except his own". | Their statement said they believed he had landed on the roof "so that it didn't impact anyone else's life except his own". |
The helicopter was registered to American Continental Properties, which McCormack had worked with for five years. | The helicopter was registered to American Continental Properties, which McCormack had worked with for five years. |
In the aftermath of the accident, Mayor Bill de Blasio suggested the FAA should tighten regulations for aircraft flying close to Manhattan. | In the aftermath of the accident, Mayor Bill de Blasio suggested the FAA should tighten regulations for aircraft flying close to Manhattan. |
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