Recent Helicopter Crashes

Robinson R44 Helicopter Crash near Uvalde, Texas | February 27, 2025

A Robinson R44 Raven II helicopter crash killed two people on Thursday, February 27, 2025. The fatal crash happened at Harris Ranch in Kinney County, approximately 12 miles west of Uvalde, Texas, at around 1:20 p.m. Both occupants pronounced dead at the scene. 

The helicopter, registered to Holt Helicopters, appears to have been engaged in surveying game on the ranch. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have initiated an investigation into the cause of the crash.

Robinson R44 helicopters have been involved in numerous fatal accidents over the years. Factors that could have contributed to this crash include mechanical failure, adverse weather conditions, low-altitude maneuvering risks, or pilot error. Wildlife surveying often requires low-altitude flight, which presents inherent dangers including reduced recovery time in emergency situations.

Depending on the investigation's findings regarding maintenance practices, pilot training and qualifications, or potential mechanical issues, the victims' families may have grounds for wrongful death claims against the responsible parties. 

Bell 505 Helicopter Crash at Ririe Reservoir, Idaho | February 20, 2025

A Bell 505 helicopter crashed into the frozen Ririe Reservoir near Idaho Falls, Idaho, at about 4:40 p.m. on Thursday, February 20, 2025. The crash claimed the life of Bradford Brown, a 59-year-old CEO of ATL Technology from Alpine, Utah, who was the owner of the aircraft. A second occupant, 61-year-old Steve Houghton from Texas, survived with non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a hospital by ambulance.

The Bonneville County Sheriff's Office responded to the crash with multiple agencies using snowmobiles to reach the site. According to a preliminary FAA report, the helicopter struck a powerline before crashing onto the ice. Video obtained by Local News 8 showed the helicopter flying very close to the ground shortly before the crash.

Following the incident, deputies shut down Ririe Reservoir and the surrounding area due to safety concerns stemming from downed power lines and unstable ice conditions.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are investigating the Bell helicopter crash.

American Airlines Flight 5342 Collides with Army Black Hawk Helicopter, Killing 67 on Both Aircraft | January 29, 2025

American Airlines Flight 5342, a Bombardier CRJ701ER operated by PSA Airlines, collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The crash occurred around 8:48 PM local time, resulting in the deaths of all 67 people aboard both aircraft.

According to media reports, there were 64 people on the plane, and three soldiers were on the helicopter. The airliner was returning from Wichita, Kansas, carrying figure skaters and their families who had attended a training camp following the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. Among the identified victims were former world champion figure skaters Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, as well as several young skaters and their parents.

The collision was captured on video by a webcam at the Kennedy Center, showing an explosion over the Potomac River. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the crash, which marks the deadliest U.S. aviation disaster since 2009. 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agent Jeffrey Kanas Dies in Helicopter Crash Near San Diego | December 16, 2024

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air Interdiction Agent lost his life when a helicopter crashed during a border security mission near Potrero, California, approximately two miles south of Barrett Lake. The Eurocopter AS350 B3, operated by Granite Coast Mapping under contract with CBP, went down around 10 a.m. in an open field at Sol Valley Ranch. The pilot, identified as air interdiction agent Jeffrey Kanas, was the chopper’s sole occupant. 

FlightAware data showed the helicopter departing from Brown Field around 9 a.m., with flight tracking indicating erratic movements before the crash. Authorities say that initial data suggested no mechanical issues with the aircraft, but the investigation is ongoing. 

The crash prompted dozens of border patrol agents to line the procession route in honor of their fallen colleague. 

The National Transportation Safety Board is leading an investigation into the cause of the crash. Given the complexity of this incident involving a federal agency and a contracted aircraft operator, multiple parties could bear responsibility for causing or contributing to the crash, depending on the investigation's findings. If the crash involved negligence in aircraft maintenance or a mechanical failure, Mr. Kanas’s family may be able to pursue legal action, including potential claims against the aircraft operator, manufacturer, or maintenance providers. 

Fatal Robinson R44 Helicopter Crash in Australia Under Investigation | August 12, 2024

Authorities are probing the fatal crash of a Robinson R44 helicopter into the DoubleTree hotel in Cairns, Australia early Monday morning. An unidentified helicopter pilot was killed in the crash. An elderly couple staying in a nearby room sustained minor injuries and were taken to a hospital. The incident forced hundreds of guests to evacuate the hotel.

Media reports suggest that the helicopter was airborne for approximately four minutes after departing from Cairns Airport before it went down. The R44, which struck the hotel roof at around 1:50 a.m., was on an "unauthorized" flight, according to Nautilus Aviation, the company that owned the helicopter. Nautilus said it is cooperating with Queensland Police and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) in the crash investigation.

ATSB dispatched a team of three investigators from its Brisbane office to gather evidence. The agency is requesting assistance from the public. Anyone who witnessed the incident, has photos or videos of the helicopter during its flight, or heard it before the crash is urged to contact the ATSB through the witness form on its website.

Helicopter Crash at Fort Novosel Army Base Kills Flight Instructor  and Injures Student | August 7, 2024

A helicopter crash on Wednesday afternoon at an Alabama military base killed one person and injured another. According to military officials, an AH-64 Apache helicopter went down during a routine training flight at Fort Novosel Army base, which is roughly 94 miles south of Montgomery. The U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Novosel issued a statement confirming the fatal crash, which claimed the life of Daniel Munger, 46, a flight instructor and retired Army Soldier. A U.S. Army student pilot was airlifted to a hospital for treatment. The fatal crash is under investigation.

Three Killed in Robinson Helicopter Crash in Kauai | July 11, 2024

A Robinson helicopter crash off Kauai's coast tragically claimed three lives. The incident took place at around 1:20 p.m. on Thursday. Hikers witnessed the R44 helicopter operated by Ali‘i Kaua‘i Air Tours plummet into the ocean near the Na Pali Coast. 

Lifeguards were able to recover the body of 53-year-old Amy Quintua from Union, Kentucky. The search for the other two victims, James “Jim” Quintua, 60, and pilot Guy Croyden, 69, was suspended by the U.S. Coast Guard and Kauai officials on July 14. The cause of the crash remains under NTSB investigation. 

Nigerian Bank CEO and Others Killed in California Helicopter Crash | February 9, 2024

Access Bank CEO Herbert Wigwe, along with his wife and son, were among the six victims who died in a helicopter crash near Baker, California. Authorities have also identified Abimbola Ogunbanjo, the former chair of the NGX Group (Nigerian stock exchange), as one of the deceased. 

The Eurocopter EC 130B4 helicopter operated by Orbic Air LLC departed from Palm Springs Airport and was on its way to Boulder City, Nevada when the fatal crash was reported around 10 p.m. The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said the crash site was east of the 15 Freeway adjacent to Halloran Springs Road, which is near the California-Nevada border.

Per the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the flight included a pilot, a safety pilot, and four passengers. The aircraft didn't possess a cockpit voice recorder or a flight data recorder. Without these key sources of information, the NTSB is urging witnesses to aid the investigation by sharing any photos or videos of the crash. 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the NTSB are investigating the cause of the crash. 

Robinson Helicopter Crash Kills Former Chilean President | February 6, 2024 

A Robinson helicopter crash in the Los Rios region of Chile killed Sebastián Piñera Echenique, the former Chilean president. Sebastián, 74, was piloting the Robinson R44 Raven II helicopter he owned when it crashed into Lago Ranco. Piñera was unable to escape the wreckage. Three other occupants on board, including Piñera’s sister Magdalena, friend Ignacio Guerrero, and Guerrero’s son, were able to extricate themselves from the downed helicopter and swim to shore. The three survivors were taken to an area hospital. Emergency responders were able to recover Mr. Piñera’s body. The General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics (DGAC) in Chile launched an investigation to determine the cause of the accident. 

Action News Chopper 6 Helicopter Crash Kills Two | December 19, 2023

A 6ABC Action News Chopper 6 helicopter crashed in a wooded area of Burlington County, New Jersey, killing the pilot and an on-board photographer. The pilot was identified as Monroe Smith, 67, from Glenside, Pennsylvania, and the photographer as Christopher Dougherty, 45, from Oreland, Pennsylvania. Both men worked at Philadelphia television station 6ABC. 

Authorities received a call about the missing helicopter in the Wharton State Forest area at 10:50 p.m. on Tuesday night. According to flight tracking data, Chopper 6 was last recorded circling Wharton State Forest at an altitude of 75 feet. While the circling can be a sign of trouble with helicopters, news helicopters often circle areas to capture footage for reports.

Emergency responders located and confirmed the debris at 12:02 a.m., and a representative from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) arrived at the crash site at 3:15 a.m. for an initial assessment. 

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate the cause of the crash. In a press conference, NTSB officials said the agency will focus the crash investigation on the pilot, the aircraft, and the operating environment. 

CW3 Christopher Eramo, CW2 Kyle McKenna, and WO1 Stewart Wayment Killed in Army Helicopter Crash in Alaska | April 27, 2023

Two Army helicopters collided outside of Healy, Alaska, killing three soldiers. The Army identified the deceased as CW3 Christopher Eramo, CW2 Kyle McKenna, and WO1 Stewart Wayment. A fourth soldier survived the helo crash and was transported to an Alaska hospital. “If the investigation reveals that a malfunctioning component of either aircraft contributed to the cause of this tragedy, there could be a product liability case against the aircraft and manufacturer of that part,” says Wisner Baum helicopter crash lawyer, Timothy A. Loranger. An investigation into the cause of the crash is expected to take a year or more.

Nine Killed After Two Black Hawk Helicopters Crash in Kentucky| March 29, 2023

Two HH-60 Black Hawk helicopters with the 101st Airborne Division crashed during a routine training exercise in Kentucky, killing nine U.S. service members. The helicopters went down in an open field near a residential neighborhood at approximately 10 p.m. local time. There were no survivors. U.S. Army officials indicated the helicopters were medical evacuation aircraft. News outlets have reported that the crash happened while the two choppers were flying and not during a medical evacuation drill. A military investigative team from Fort Rucker, Alabama will lead the inquiry into the cause of the crash. This marks the second fatal Black Hawk crash in two months. In February, a Black Hawk crash in Alabama killed two Tennessee National Guardsmen.

CWO3 Daniel Wadham and CWO3 Danny Randolph Killed in Alabama Black Hawk Helicopter Crash | February 16, 2023

Two experienced Tennessee National Guard pilots were killed when their Black Hawk helicopter crashed along Alabama Highway 53 in the unincorporated community of Harvest. Authorities identified the deceased as Chief Warrant Officer 3 Daniel Wadham of Joelton, Tennessee, and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Danny Randolph of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Investigators say the UH-60 military helicopter crashed during a training exercise, falling from the sky and catching fire after impact.

Military accident attorney Timothy A. Loranger told WAFF 48 Alabama that investigators will look into every possibility to determine the cause of this tragedy. “Their goal is to make sure they find out whether this was a mechanical failure within the aircraft or a combination of causes,” Loranger said. “That could include looking at how the aircraft was piloted, looking at training, looking at all kinds of issues surrounding the safe operation of a helicopter.”

“Families prepare themselves for something like this to happen when their loved one goes off to Afghanistan and Iraq and deployed off to the world protecting their country,” Loranger added. “When they’re home, they expect them to be safe. It’s really hard to wrap their mind around this.”

Son of Former Los Angeles Dodger Steve Sax Among Five Marines Killed in Osprey Crash | June 20, 2022

Capt. John Sax, 33, the son of former Los Angeles Dodgers player Steve Sax, was one of five Marines who perished in a military aviation accident in Southern California. Sax was one of two pilots aboard an MV-22B Osprey when it crashed for unknown reasons outside of Glamis, California. The fatal crash also killed Cpl. Nathan E. Carlson, 21, Capt. Nicholas P. Losapio, 31, Cpl. Seth D. Rasmuson, 21, and Lance Cpl. Evan A. Strickland, 19.

Four Killed in New Mexico Helicopter Crash | July 16, 2022

A Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) helicopter crash in Las Vegas, New Mexico, killed three BCSO employees and one Bernalillo County Fire Department employee. Authorities identified the BCSO victims as Undersheriff Larry Koren, 55; Lieutenant Fred Beers, 51; and Deputy Michael Levison, 30. The fourth victim, Rescue Specialist Matthew King, 44, worked for Bernalillo County Fire Rescue. Reports indicate that the Bernalillo County Sheriff helicopter, a Bell Helicopters UH-H1 known as “Metro 2,” plummeted to the ground at a fast rate, initially impacting the ground upright. The cause of the fatal crash is under investigation.

Six Injured in Hawaii Tour Helicopter Crash | June 8, 2022

A Bell 407 tour helicopter crash on the Big Island of Hawaii left six people with injuries. Two of the victims, including a woman in her late teens, were hospitalized in serious condition. Authorities say the tour helicopter operated by Paradise Helicopters went down in a lava field shortly after departing from Kona International Airport. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Genesee County, New York Medical Helicopter Crash Kills Two | April 26, 2022

A medical helicopter crash in Genesee County, New York killed two highly experienced pilots. Authorities say the Mercy Flight helicopter went down at around 1:00 p.m. local time in Elba during recurrent training. No patients were aboard the Bell 429 helicopter at the time of the crash. Investigators have indicated that the helicopter’s tail boom separated from the aircraft and landed roughly 300 feet from the rest of the helicopter. The crash investigation is ongoing.

Robinson R44 Helicopter Crash in Texas Kills Two | March 25, 2022

A Robinson R44 helicopter fell from the sky and burst into flames in Rowlett, Texas. The fatal Robinson helicopter crash killed 42-year-old student pilot Ty Wallis and a female flight instructor. According to witnesses, the chopper appeared to go out of control before it plunged to the ground and erupted in flames at around 11:30 a.m. local time. Officials from the National Transportation Safety Board are conducting an investigation.

Northern Australia Robinson Helicopter Crash Kills Outback Wrangler’s Chris “Willow” Wilson | February 28, 2022

A Robinson R44 helicopter with two people on board crashed in a remote part of Australia’s Northern Territory. Sources indicated the R44’s engine reportedly failed along the King River in West Arnhem Land. Chris “Willow” Wilson from the National Geographic show Outback Wrangler was tragically killed in the crash. The pilot, a 28-year-old man, survived.

Kauai Helicopter Crash Kills Daniel Maurice, Patrick Rader, Erika Tevez-Valdez, and Matthew Haider | February 22, 2022

A military-contracted Sikorsky helicopter crashed during a training operation at the Pacific Missile Range Facility on the west side of Kauai, killing four people. The downed helicopter was operated by Croman Corporation, which provides aerial support for PMRF. Authorities from the FAA and the NTSB are investigating the cause of the crash.

Helicopter Crash in Sevierville, Tennessee Kills Two | December 29, 2021

A Robinson helicopter crash in rural Tennessee killed the pilot and badly injured a passenger. The Robinson R44 helicopter went down just before 3:00 p.m. local time in Sevierville, Tennessee. The helicopter took off from Gatlinburg Pigeon Forge Airport at approximately 2:13 p.m. and was supposed to return to the airport within minutes. Tragically, the chopper never returned.

An eye witness said the R44 was traveling at a high rate of speed before it crashed. “It was incredibly loud, and you know something is wrong when something like that hits the side of a mountain…” Pilot Matt Jones was killed in the crash. Passenger Julie Wagner survived but sustained serious injuries.

Robinson R66 Helicopter Crash Near Macon, Georgia Kills Three | September 16, 2021

Three people died when a Robinson R66 helicopter crashed at approximately 8:45 p.m. in the Oconee National Forest, roughly 20 miles outside of Macon, Georgia. There were no survivors. The deceased victims were identified as 42-year-old Alister Pereira and 46-year-old Charles Ogilvie, both pilots from the Atlanta area, and 40-year-old Carson McElheney, a Buckhead landscape architect and father of two children.

Five Dead, Others Injured in Navy Helicopter Crash Near San Diego, California | August 31, 2021

A U.S. Navy helicopter crashed on an aircraft carrier roughly 60 miles off the coast of San Diego, California, killing five Navy Sailors and injuring five other people on the flight deck. Authorities say one person aboard the chopper survived the crash and was rescued. According to a U.S. Navy press release, an MH-60S Seahawk helicopter was conducting “routine flight operations” when it landed on the flight deck of the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln and “experienced vibrations.” The helicopter’s main rotor struck the flight deck, causing the helicopter to crash into the Pacific Ocean at approximately 4:30 p.m. local time.

Robinson R66 Helicopter Crash Near Colusa, California Kills Four | August 1, 2021

A prominent Colusa, California almond farmer and his wife were among the four fatalities in a Robinson R66 helicopter crash in Northern California. The deceased were identified as Bill Vann, 67, his wife Susie, 60, and two of the couple’s friends, Bobbie Lee Keaton, 62, and Charles Thomas Wilson, 71. According to local officials, the Robinson R66 helicopter crashed at after 1:00 p.m. local time in a field near Highway 45 and Reservation Road. All of the victims were pronounced dead at the scene. No one survived the crash.

Robinson R44 Crash in Canterbury, New Zealand Injures Four | June 12, 2021

A Robinson R44 helicopter crash in Canterbury, New Zealand, left four people with serious injuries. Authorities say the helicopter lost all power and crashed at approximately 3:05 p.m. The helicopter pilot was flying newlyweds Fay El Hanafy and Mahdi Zougub, along with a wedding photographer, Rachel Jordan, to a remote mountain location to take some wedding photos. A spokesman for Wyndon Aviation, the company that owned the R44, told media outlets the chopper experienced a total engine failure after takeoff and immediately crashed onto a golf course fairway. “Put simply, the engine stopped,” the spokesman said.

Robinson Helicopter Crash at Vaal Marina in South Africa Kills Two | May 15, 2021

A Robinson helicopter crashed into the Vaal Dam in South Africa, killing prominent Johannesburg businessman Jacobus Esterhuysen and his sister, Dané. Known to friends as “Essie,” Esterhuysen was piloting the Robinson R44 helicopter with his sister and two dogs on board. Emergency officials received a call at about 6:00 p.m. local time reporting the R44 crashing roughly 200 meters offshore, near Vaal Marina. A witness to the crash tried to rescue survivors but both Essie and Dané were pronounced dead at the scene. Mr. Esterhuysen was an experienced pilot who had made countless landings at Vaal Marina.

Alaska Helicopter Crash Kills Czech Billionaire Petr Kellner and Four Others | March 27, 2021

A Eurocopter helicopter crash near Knik Glacier in Alaska killed Czech billionaire Petr Kellner, snowboard instructor Benjamin Larochaix, and heli-skiing guides Gregory Harms and Sean McManamy. Snowboarder David Horváth sustained injuries and was the lone survivor of the crash. Petr Kellner and the others aboard the ill-fated flight were on a heli-skiing trip in Alaska’s backcountry. They were guests at the Tordrillo Mountain Lodge, a multi-sport lodge in Judd Lake, Alaska.

Idaho Army National Guard Soldiers Killed in Black Hawk Helicopter Crash | February 2, 2021

A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crash outside of Boise, Idaho killed three Idaho Army National Guard soldiers. No one survived the crash.Local authorities identified the fallen National Guard soldiers as Chief Warrant Officer 4 Jesse Anderson, 43; Chief Warrant Officer 3 George “Geoff” Laubhan, 39: and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Matthew Peltzer, 43. All three men were instructor pilots with lots of flying experience. They were participating in a routine training exercise at the time of the helicopter crash.

Safari Helicopters Tour Crash | December 27, 2019

The wreckage of a Safari Helicopters Eurocopter AS350 was located on Kauai, Hawaii in Koke’e State Park near Nu’alolo on Friday, December 27. The helicopter, carrying six passengers plus a pilot, failed to return from a Thursday afternoon tour flight.

The Coast Guard, Navy and Kauai fire department are searching for survivors; but scattered showers, wind and low visibility are making the task difficult.

Tennessee Helicopter Crash Kills Pilot, Four Tourists | April 24, 2016

A Tennessee helicopter crash killed five people on Monday afternoon. The fatal crash was reported at around 3:30 p.m. in the town of Pigeon Forge, which is perhaps best known for being the home of Dollywood theme park on the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Medical Helicopter Crash in Central California Kills Four, Including Patient | December 10, 2015

A SkyLife medical helicopter transporting a patient to a central California hospital crashed in heavy fog on Thursday night, killing all four people on board. The Bell 407 helicopter with tail number N408FC crashed in the wilderness just outside the town of McFarland.

Officials say the medical helicopter was transporting a patient from Porterville Municipal Airport to the San Joaquin Community Hospital in Bakersfield, a flight that should take roughly 10 minutes under normal circumstances.

A search team found a debris field based on the medical helicopter’s last known coordinates at around 8:45 p.m. It took officials roughly 90 minutes to reach the site of the crash, as fog and darkness hampered search and rescue attempts. At around 10:00 p.m., the search and rescue team confirmed that they had indeed found the missing SkyLife medical helicopter.

The pilot, along with the flight nurse, flight paramedic, and the patient were all confirmed dead at the scene by emergency responders. The victims have not been identified, pending notification of next of kin.

What is SkyLife?

According to the company website, SkyLife Air Ambulance is a partnership between American Ambulance and Roger’s Helicopters. The company has been providing air medical transportation for critically ill trauma and medical patients since 1991.

SkyLife transports an estimated 1,000 patients annually from airports in Fresno and Visalia.

The SkyLife Medical Helicopter Crash Victims

Officials have said the SkyLife helicopter was staffed by a seasoned flight crew that had been working together for some time. American Ambulance president and CEO Todd Valeri told the media that the company is “absolutely devastated” after hearing the dreadful news. The company’s 600 employees were actually gathered for a Christmas party when the word got out about the fatal medical helicopter crash.

“We’re just consoling one another, telling stories, crying,” Valeri told NBC News. The company is still working to inform the families of all the victims.

Columbia Helicopters Grounds Fleet After Peru Helicopter Crash Kills Seven | January 8, 2013

Columbia Helicopters announced today that they are grounding six of the remaining Chinook helicopters in their fleet after their seventh Chinook helicopter crashed in Peru this week, killing all seven aboard. At least two of the people killed were U.S. Citizens, according to reports.

The Chinook 234 model choppers will be out of service for three days while company officials perform various safety inspections. Three of the choppers that will be inspected are in Papua New Guinea, one is in Oregon, one is on contract with the U.S. military in Afghanistan and one remains in Peru.

The “safety stand-down” came as Columbia Helicopters sent a team of investigators down to Pucallpa, Peru to piece together what caused Monday’s fatal crash. According to OregonLive, no one is certain what caused the crash, though witnesses say the chopper was pluming smoke moments after takeoff. An investigation is still ongoing.

Robinson Helicopter Crash Near Lake Skinner Kills Renowned Pilot, Injures Another | July 10, 2012

World renowned pilot Carl Johan Nurmi was killed and another person was injured Monday morning after a Robinson R22 helicopter crashed near French Valley Airport in Murrieta, California. The two-seater helicopter crashed at around 10:15 a.m. near Lake Skinner. Authorities finally located the crash site after some difficulty reaching the remote area, pronouncing Mr. Nurmi dead at the scene. With over 24 years of flying experience, Mr. Nurmi is listed as holding five world helicopter speed records. The passenger, who is not believed to have suffered life-threatening injuries, has not been identified.

According to the Press Enterprise, the Robinson R22 helicopter was built in 2004 and registered to November Aplha, LLC, a company that leases helicopters to flight schools. The investigation will be handled by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Award-Winning Filmmakers Die in Fiery Australian Helicopter Crash | February 6, 2012

American cinematographer Mike deGruy and Australian writer/producer Andrew Wight were killed when the Robinson R44 helicopter they were traveling in crashed in Eastern Australia on Saturday afternoon local time. Authorities believe the seven-year-old helicopter went down shortly after taking off from an airstrip near Nowra, roughly 97 miles south of Sydney. Wight, 52, was reportedly piloting the Robinson R44 helicopter when it crashed with 60-year-old deGruy also onboard. Australian investigators said the chopper was seen hovering a mere 30 feet from the ground shortly before it crashed and erupted into flames.

“It is cruelly ironic that he died flying a helicopter, which was second nature to him, like driving a car would be to most people,” said filmmaker James Cameron, who was a close personal friend of both Wight and deGruy. It is believed that the two men were beginning work on a 3D documentary about Papua New Guinea. At this time, the cause of Saturday’s helicopter crash is unknown, but Australia’s Transport Safety Bureau has investigators at the crash site.

One Dead and Three Injured After Helicopter Crashes in New York City’s East River | October 5, 2011

A private helicopter with five people onboard crashed into the East River in New York City Tuesday afternoon while attempting to land, killing one and sending three people to the hospital. Three passengers, two women and a man, were pulled from the 60 degree water by first responders near 34th Street in Manhattan. The two women were rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition. The man was also taken to a hospital in stable condition. The pilot, who is the owner of the downed chopper, swam safely to the riverbank after the helicopter hit the water. Rescue divers from the New York Police Department pulled the body of the dead woman from about 50 feet of water after searching for over an hour. All of the passengers aboard the helicopter are believed to be tourists from England.

Witnesses say it appeared the pilot was struggling to keep the helicopter in the air, possibly experiencing some mechanical problems. The chopper lifted to about 25 feet off the ground and spun around three or four times before ultimately splashing into the water and sinking in a matter of seconds. “It went down pretty fast, you could see the splash, you could see the top of it and it just disappeared,” said an eye witness. “It looked like it was trying to land at the heliport and missed the landing.” The Bell 206 helicopter went down in the river near a heliport on 34th Street. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the crash. Investigators from the NTSB are due to arrive at the crash site sometime this evening.

To view more information: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/44776452/ns/us_news-life/#.TotuBHMyIak

Aviation Law Firm Wins Appeal on Behalf of 3 Paramedics Killed in 1998 Los Angeles Helicopter Crash; Trial Against Bell Helicopter Can Now Proceed | June 15, 2003

Aviation Attorney Robert E. Guilford won an appeal on June 13, 2003, for the widows of the three paramedics killed in the 1998 Bell helicopter crash in Griffith Park, Los Angeles. The helicopter was airlifting an injured child when the tail rotor yoke failed and caused the aircraft to crash.

Mr. Guilford filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Bell on behalf of the widows but Bell succeeded in having the case dismissed based on a federal statute called the General Aviation Revitalization Act of 1994 (GARA) which bars legal action against manufacturers of general aviation aircraft if the part that allegedly caused the accident is more than 18 years old. Mr. Guilford appealed.