Did Loose Nut Play Role In Crash Of Texas TV Helicopter?
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Did Loose Nut Play Role In Crash Of Texas TV Helicopter?
A preliminary report says federal investigators discovered a loose nut in the engine of a TV news helicopter that crashed in Texas, but doesn’t say whether the nut played a role in the crash.
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(November 7, 2008)—A preliminary National Transportation Safety Board report says investigators found a loose nut in the engine of a TV news helicopter that crashed last month north of Houston, killing the pilot and a TV news photographer.

The report does not say whether investigators suspect the nut played a role in the Oct. 13 crash.

The report said the nut was only finger-tightened.

Pilot John Downhower and photographer David Garrett died in the crash while en route to cover a shooting in Montgomery County for KTRK-TV.

A witness reported that the low-flying helicopter bank steeply to the right before striking trees and then crashing to the ground.

Investigators also determined that one tail rotor blade was straight and the other was bent 90 degrees.

The 1993 Bell 206L4 was owned by St. Louis-based Helicopters Inc., which leases choppers to news organizations.

NTSB Web Site

Latest Comments

Posted by: Heart-Of-Texas Location: Waco on Nov 8, 2008 at 10:07 AM

There is absolutely 'No' room for errors!! Sorry for the people that died!! Back-To-The-Future!!
Posted by: Clyde Location: Waco on Nov 8, 2008 at 07:43 AM

The mechanic must have been a TSTC grad.
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