Report: FAA inspector helped pilot from burning chopper
Thu, Jun 5, 2008
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GRAND RAPIDS (AP) A Federal Aviation Administration inspector who was aboard a medical helicopter that crashed last week on the roof of a downtown Grand Rapids hospital helped the pilot escape as the chopper burned.
That's according to a preliminary accident report released this week by the National Transportation Safety Board.
The helicopter crashed May 29 after the tail rotor struck a tower while taking off from a heliport atop Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital.
The FAA inspector exited the aircraft by moving the pilot's pedals back and shimmying out a small window near the pilot's feet. He helped the pilot get out through the same window.
The fire consumed the helicopter soon after the two men got out.
On the Net:
NTSB preliminary report: http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/GenPDF.asp?idCHI08FA141&rptp