CHALMERS, Ind. — A pilot died about 3:50 p.m. Tuesday when his helicopter crashed near the southwest corner of White County Roads 700 South and 150 East, Indiana State Police Sgt. Kim Riley said.
The name of the man flying the helicopter is not being released, pending the notification of his family, Riley said. The pilot was the only person on board the aircraft.
"Basically, they were stringing power lines, and at this point in time, for unknown reasons, the helicopter came down and crashed," Riley said.
Crews on the ground pulled the pilot from the wreckage and began CPR. Emergency medical technicians arrived on scene a short time later, but the pilot died there, according to Indiana State Police.
The line of newly constructed metal high-power towers running from the northwest to the southeast have spools of lines suspended beneath them. The eastern spool has a slack power line extended over County Road 700 South, reaching to the first tower north of the county road. However, north of there, it appears the line is lying on the ground.
The helicopter pilot was a subcontractor working for EC Source out of Mesa, Ariz., which was the company stringing the power lines. According to its website, it specializes in the construction of extra high-voltage lines. Riley said EC Source was the contractor installing the lines on the high-voltage towers southeast of Chalmers.
The Journal & Courier left messages for Jonathan Sharp, senior vice president of EC source. He did not return the calls.
The twisted wreckage lies about 50 yards south of County Road 700 South.
Investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are expected to be on scene Tuesday and Wednesday, Riley said.
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EC Source (ECS), together with its subsidiary construction related professional service providers, is a nationally recognized full-service EPC program management entity focused on financing and deploying Extra High Voltage (EHV) electrical systems in North America. ECS is staffed with recognized industry leaders in project planning and execution of large-scale electric transmission and substation projects, including full service environmental planning, engineering, procurement, and construction activities.
ECS is engineering led and construction focused, specializing in large fixed price, competitively bid EHV transmission line and substation projects, guaranteeing quality, performance, and schedule. ECS has offices nationwide.
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Date:
14-MAR-2017
Time: 15:50 LT
Type:
McDonnell Douglas 369FF
Owner/operator: Rogers Helicopters
Registration: N530KD
C/n / msn: 0044FF
Fatalities: Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities: 0
Airplane damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location: White County, SE of Chalmers, IN -
United States of America Phase: Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.)
Nature: Cargo
Departure airport:
Destination airport:
Narrative:
The fatal accident occurred while slinging power cables.
Rogers Helicopters was a subcontractor working for EC Source of Mesa, AZ which was the company stringing the power lines.
Sources:
http://www.jconline.com/story/news/local/indiana/2017/03/14/pilot-dies-helicopter-crash-white-county/99182276/
http://wlfi.com/2017/03/14/1-injured-after-helicopter-crashes-in-white-county/
http://www.theindychannel.com/news/local-news/one-injured-in-white-county-helicopter-crash
http://www.asias.faa.gov/pls/apex/f?p=100:95:26435855984894::NO::P95_EVENT_LCL_DATE,P95_LOC_CITY_NAME,P95_REGIST_NBR:14-MAR-17,CHALMERS,N530KD
http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N530KD
http://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/photo/001222052.html
Flight Gobal
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Rogers Helicopters, Inc. is one of the largest helicopter
operators in California. We have been in business in Central California
for 52 years. Our company provides on demand helicopter and fixed wing
charters, maintenance, and logistical support to companies worldwide.
Our proven aviation performance continues to exceed that of our
competitors.
Since 1962 Rogers
Helicopters, a CPUC Certified Company, has provided services defined
by our quality, safety, flexibility, reliability and creativity which
have earned the company a reputation for excellence. Rogers has
pioneered many early helicopter applications and continues to update
our fleet with improved, next-generation equipment.
Rogers offers a diversified
fleet of heavy, medium, and light lift helicopters along with our
fixed wing aircraft. Rogers remains committed to providing quality
service to our customers and can mobilize on a moment's notice for
operations anywhere in North America.
Our company headquarters and main maintenance
facility are located at the Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT).
We provide the following helicopter services::
Construction • Utilites • Power Line Construction • External Long Line Operations • Fire Control and Support • Government Contracting • Aerial Construction • Air Carrier 135 Operations • Agricultural Spraying and Seeding (Part 137) • Emergency Medical Services Contracts • External Load Operations (Part 133) • Search and Rescue • Drug Interdiction Programs for Federal, State and Local Law Enforcement Departments • Movie and Television filming / Tyler Mounts • Power Line Patrols • Aerial Surveying • Seismic Exploration • Repair Station (Part 145) • External Long Line Operations • Offshore Operations • Aerial Photography • Heavy Lift Services | ||||
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Rogers Helicopters has established itself as a leader in the
utility helicopter services industry. We pride ourselves on our
versatility, and our dedication. We treat each project as if it were our
own, and make safety our first priority.
Rogers Helicopters offers a wide array of construction services to the electric utility industry. We have the experience, staff, equipment, and expertise to handle almost any project.
Rogers Helicopters offers a wide array of construction services to the electric utility industry. We have the experience, staff, equipment, and expertise to handle almost any project.
Powerline Construction Services
- New Construction
- Retro-fits
- Re-Conductoring
- Insulator Change-outs
- Men & Material Transport (up to 9 lineman) (3000 lbs)
- Pole Setting
- Ladder/Equipment Spotting
- Aerial ground support
- Survey
- Fiber-optic Transmission Line Installation
- External Load Operations
- FAA Part 135 Air Carrier
Heavy Lift Services
The precision required to lift heavy loads in challenging terrain is a hallmark of Rogers expertise. The expansion of power grids and transmission towers is ongoing and Rogers works closely with general contractors erecting towers and repairing infrastructure. Helicopters are the most efficient, cost-effective solution to effectively remove, replace and install utility equipment when location and terrain are of concern.
The precision required to lift heavy loads in challenging terrain is a hallmark of Rogers expertise. The expansion of power grids and transmission towers is ongoing and Rogers works closely with general contractors erecting towers and repairing infrastructure. Helicopters are the most efficient, cost-effective solution to effectively remove, replace and install utility equipment when location and terrain are of concern.
- Wood, Steel and Concrete Poles
- Sections of Tower & Antennae
- Cross Arms
- Insulator Strings
- Ladders
- Industrial/Commercial Construction
- Roofing
- HVAC
- Electrical
- Scaffolding
- Signs
- Aircraft Recovery
- Equipment/Tool/Material Spotting
- Concrete