A Philadelphia-based news helicopter operated by U.S. Helicopters crashed into a forest, killing both occupants.
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A Philadelphia-based news helicopter crashed in a remote area of New Jersey’s Wharton State Forest shortly after 8 p.m. local time yesterday, killing the pilot and photographer onboard. The 2013 Airbus Helicopters AS350B2, registration N606HD, was being operated by U.S. Helicopters on behalf of Philadelphia television station WPVI and was returning to the Northeast Philadelphia Airport (KPNE) from an assignment over Galloway Township near Atlantic City.
Nearly three hours after the accident, the New Jersey state police were first notified that the helicopter was missing. The wreckage was located shortly after midnight, and the FAA arrived on the scene at 3 a.m. The NTSB is expected to join the investigation today.
FlightAware data shows the helicopter beginning a gradual descent approximately three minutes before the crash from an altitude of 625 feet with a progressively increasing rate of descent, followed by a mild ascent, then a sharper, unstabilized rate of descent of 273 to 375 feet per minute.
During the final 40 seconds of the flight, the helicopter departed its direct heading back to KPNE on a more westerly heading. Aerial video from a competing television station showed a widespread debris field with part of the wreckage still burning. Weather in the area at the time of the accident was reported as 4500 feet overcast to clear with visibility of 10 miles. The helicopter was on its fourth flight of the day with its first recorded at 10:36 a.m.
A Philadelphia-based news helicopter crashed in a remote area of New Jersey’s Wharton State Forest shortly after 8 p.m. local time yesterday, killing the pilot and photographer onboard. The 2013 Airbus Helicopters AS350B2, registration N606HD, was being operated by U.S. Helicopters on behalf of Philadelphia television station WPVI and was returning to the Northeast Philadelphia Airport (KPNE) from an assignment over Galloway Township near Atlantic City.
Nearly three hours after the accident, the New Jersey state police were first notified that the helicopter was missing. The wreckage was located shortly after midnight, and the FAA arrived on the scene at 3 a.m. The NTSB is expected to join the investigation today.
FlightAware data shows the helicopter beginning a gradual descent approximately three minutes before the crash from an altitude of 625 feet with a progressively increasing rate of descent, followed by a mild ascent, then a sharper, unstabilized rate of descent of 273 to 375 feet per minute.
During the final 40 seconds of the flight, the helicopter departed its direct heading back to KPNE on a more westerly heading. Aerial video from a competing television station showed a widespread debris field with part of the wreckage still burning. Weather in the area at the time of the accident was reported as 4,500 feet overcast to clear with visibility of 10 miles.