Helicopter crashes in Spanish Fork

Updated: 8/17/2012 8:15 pm | Published: 8/17/2012 4:48 pm

SPANISH FORK, Utah (ABC 4 News) - Two people were injured in a helicopter crash at the Spanish Fork Municipal Airport on Friday afternoon.

Officials told ABC 4 News that one man had minor injuries, while another sustained serious injuries.

The crash happened on a runway at the airport located on 2200 North Main Street.

Lt. Brandon Anderson says the pilot was a student and doing a training exercise when the accident occurred.

"He was doing an engine failure simulation and for some reason the helicopter dropped to the ground," says Lt. Anderson

The exercise requires the engine to be shut off and students go through procedures to land the helicopter.

A man who claimed to be the student pilot's cousin says there was time to restart the engine. He says his cousin couldn't start the throttle that disengages a brake like device to straighten out the helicopter and cushion the fall.

The helicopter belonged to Utah Helicopters based in Spanish Fork.

aviation

Story Comments

Print Story

1 Comment(s)

Comments: Show | Hide

Here are the most recent story comments.View All

The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of ABC4

dahat001 - 8/18/2012 10:22 AM

0 Votes

Report User

Your report on this accident is irresponsible. Engines on helicopters are NOT “turned off” the throttle is retarded to an idle position during “simulated engine failures” a maneuver taught and practiced. This maneuver is one of many required to be demonstrated during evaluations for a helicopter pilot certificate. Lt Anderson I assume is a qualified police officer, but is not a qualified helicopter pilot. Another unqualified person is the “cousin”. How could he make a judgment if there was time to “restart” the engine? The rest of what he said is garbage. Relying on statements of unqualified persons is again, irresponsible. I possess an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate Rotorcraft Helicopter Commercial Pilot Airplane Single and Multi Engine Land Instrument Certified Flight Instructor Rotorcraft Helicopter Instrument Ground Instructor Advanced US Army Master Aviator Instructor Pilot Instrument Examiner Aviation Safety Officer and Aircraft Accident Investigator

Click Here to Add Your Comments View All