 |
|
|
Navy Chopper May Have Hit TV Tower; Similar Crash Killed 7 Here In 2004
Investigators Thursday were trying to determine whether a Navy helicopter hit a broadcast tower before a deadly crash, much as a Fort Hood helicopter did in 2004 in an accident in which seven soldiers died.
|
|
1 Comments 
(January 17, 2008)-- Investigators are trying to determine whether a deadly Navy helicopter crash near Corpus Christi involved the chopper hitting a broadcast tower.
Three crewmembers on the MH-53 Sea Dragon died in Wednesday night's fiery accident, while a fourth is hospitalized in critical condition.
KEDT Television was knocked off the air because of damage to the tower, but the station resumed broadcasting Thursday on lower power.
South Texas Public Broadcasting System president Don Dunlap says he believes the chopper hit the tower about 50 feet from the top based on what he saw using binoculars.
Dunlap says the beacon on top of the 970-foot-tall tower had been knocked off.
He told The Associated Press that the fog was extremely thick when he arrived at the scene Thursday night, and that he couldn't see 200 feet around the tower.
Names of the victims weren't immediately released.
Conditions were foggy in November 2004 in Central Texas when a 4th Infantry Division UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter struck a support cable on the 1,800-foot KXXV television tower while on a flight to the Red River Army Depot in Texarkana.
The helicopter crashed into a field near Bruceville-Eddy, killing all seven soldiers aboard including Brig. Gen. Charles B. Allen, the 4th Infantry Division’s assistant commander.
An Army report determined that the crash resulted from the decision of the pilots to fly under visual flight rules in conditions that warranted the use of instruments.
The pilots took off in foggy conditions without filing an instrument flight plan, but then requested an instrument flight plan minutes before the crash.
[More Local And State News]
[More National News]
[More Business News]
[Latest Religion News]
[Latest Health News]
[Latest Entertainment News]
[OffBeat News]
[News From Our Town]
[Latest Soldier Stories]
[Sports]
[Weather]
[Blogs]
Latest Comments
Chopper? Can we call it a helicopter, plane, aircraft, helo, rotary-wing aircrft, airplane, just not chopper.
[ Report Abuse ]
 |
Double
Dollar Deals Half Price Deals at Central Texas restaurants and businesses. A new deal every Thursday at 7:00am. |
 |
Boss
of the Month Who is Central Texas’ best boss? Nominate your supervisor for Boss of the Month! |
 |
Golden
Apple Your chance to nominate an outstanding teacher. Find out how they are making a difference in classrooms. |
 |
Emily Wants to Know Emily Matthews' inquisitive look at life in Central Texas. |
 |
Army Way Learn all about the symbols, traditions, and customs of the US Army. |
Emergency Room Nurse - Join Metroplex Health System in Killeen as a Registered Nurse in the Emergency Department. Metroplex offers a very competitive hourly wage, comprehensive health coverage and retirement plans. A new pay scale went in to effect in October 09! Join Metroplex in extending the healing ministry of Christ.
Also, take a look at the most recent jobs posted to Job Board TV at KWTX.com: View More Jobs.
