Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Lineman workers Nicholas Gamalski, 27, and Travis Chiokai, 26, with WINCO INC. died by falling 100 feet from their Hughes rotorcraft helicopter after their safety hardness snapped in Sulphur, Louisiana

Nicholas Gamalski, 27, dead







LAKE CHARLES, La. (KLFY)-UPDATE:

The two men have been identified as Nicholas Gamalski, 27, and Travis Chiokai, 26, both from California.

ORIGINAL STORY: At approximately 9:30 a.m. this morning, the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the area of N. Claiborne Street and W. Houston River Road in Sulphur in reference to two men who had fallen from a helicopter.

When deputies arrived they discovered two men, both in their 20’s and both from California, dead.

During further investigation, it was learned the two men were working on the electrical lines in the area from a helicopter.

It appears their safety harness was rubbing against the power lines, causing it to snap and causing them to fall about 100 feet from the helicopter.

Both men were pronounced dead by medical personnel at the scene.

Foul play is not suspected, the deaths appear to be accidental.  Next of kin has not been notified so their names have not been released.

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Calacasieu Parish, La. (KALB) - Two young men were working on electrical lines while suspended from cable connected to a helicopter when they suddenly fell to their deaths.

(Image Source: KALB)
A spokeswoman from the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's office said their safety harnesses were rubbing up against the power lines, causing them to snap.
They fell from about one-hundred feet above the ground.
Investigators believe that the deaths appear to be an accident and that no foul play was involved.

Aircraft Description

Serial Number 911027D Status Valid
Manufacturer Name HUGHES Certificate Issue Date 01/13/2010
Model 369D Expiration Date 09/30/2019
Type Aircraft Rotorcraft Type Engine Turbo-shaft
Pending Number Change None Dealer No
Date Change Authorized None Mode S Code (base 8 / oct) 50115345
MFR Year 1981 Mode S Code (base 16 / hex) A09AE5
Type Registration Corporation Fractional Owner NO

Registered Owner

Name WINCO INC
Street 22300 YELLOW GATE LN NE
   
City AURORA State OREGON
County MARION Zip Code 97002-8434
Country UNITED STATES

Airworthiness

Engine Manufacturer AMA/EXPR Classification Standard
Engine Model UNKNOWN ENG Category Normal
A/W Date 12/29/1981