5 Killed In Smoky Mt. Helicopter Crash

#3
#3
I was over there last week and noticed the helicopters were barely clearing the trees when they were turning around for a landing. It looked like the pilots were being hot shots and showing off for the people they were flying around. I thought at the time that they were lucky they weren't clipping the trees and crashing.

I'm sorry that people lost their lives today.
 
#4
#4
davethevol said:
I was over there last week and noticed the helicopters were barely clearing the trees when they were turning around for a landing. It looked like the pilots were being hot shots and showing off for the people they were flying around. I thought at the time that they were lucky they weren't clipping the trees and crashing.

I'm sorry that people lost their lives today.
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Is that what is being reported? I hope it was just mechanical failure, or weather related. As hard as the wind was blowing the last few days, I thought that might have something to do with it.
 
#5
#5
Ulysees E. McGill said:
Is that what is being reported? I hope it was just mechanical failure, or weather related. As hard as the wind was blowing the last few days, I thought that might have something to do with it.
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Flown in helicopters for most of my Navy career and there is no way in hell I would fly in one of those tour copter rides.
 
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#8
#8
Ulysees E. McGill said:
Is that what is being reported? I hope it was just mechanical failure, or weather related. As hard as the wind was blowing the last few days, I thought that might have something to do with it.
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I haven't seen any reports of what caused it, just sharing what I observed a few days prior. It very well could have been wind or something mechanical, but I also it wouldn't be surprised if it was pilot error due to showboating. What I saw on Saturday appeared to be reckless flying.
 
#9
#9
The wind was really strong just before we heard al the sirens. Very gusty. Again, idk that's the "cause" or if one will ever be found, but my thoughts and prayers are with the families.
 
#11
#11
BearCat204 said:
Flown in helicopters for most of my Navy career and there is no way in hell I would fly in one of those tour copter rides.
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Dang, me and my daughter have been talking about doing it on vacation this year. Maybe not now.
 
#12
#12
joevol33 said:
Dang, me and my daughter have been talking about doing it on vacation this year. Maybe not now.
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They have been operating since 1967 iirc. First serious accident. You ain't gonna quit driving are you? I have had three major automobile accidents that I'm blessed to have walked away from. Don't be afraid to live. Accidents are bound to happen doing anything.
 
#13
#13
FAA is in town today to investigate...I've taken the tours many times and thought the pilots did a good job..it was terribly windy here yesterday but I don't think they will be able to determine the cause I think the fire destroyed the copter
 
#14
#14
My money is on wind sheer, imo. Showboating pilots, I would hope, is rare. However, if it's Army pilots with Air Force passengers, get ready for a ride. Haha

I've been on Blackhawks and other large military helicopters. I've flown on military contract helicopters, the last being a 4 seater on a high wind day - I guarantee, to this day, my finger impressions are still in the seat frame. I could have turned a piece of coal into a diamond with my butt cheeks that day.

T&P for the pilot, passengers, and their families.
 
#15
#15
Nerd-Vol said:
A lot of those rides in pigeon forge scare me as to their safety.
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I would get in a car with a drunk driver before I would fly in one of those clown flown birds. I've seen them take off with people before in 20knot cross winds before.
 
#17
#17
Who decides if it's safe to fly in an operation like that? Those ultralight copters can't be very stable in gusty winds, I wouldn't think.
 
#18
#18
wildnkrazykat said:
U talking strictly helicopter or the "amusement" type rides also?
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Outside of the go-carts and what not.

Like the bungee jump things, the drop things, anything that would leave me plummeting to the earth.

Some of this is just based on assumptions, some it are based on legal cases.
 
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#19
#19
Nerd-Vol said:
Outside of the go-carts and what not.

Like the bungee jump things, the drop things, anything that would leave me plummeting to the earth.

Some of this is just based on assumptions, some it are based on legal cases.
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My common sense agrees with you completely.
 
#21
#21
BearCat204 said:
I would get in a car with a drunk driver before I would fly in one of those clown flown birds. I've seen them take off with people before in 20knot cross winds before.
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They don't get paid if they don't fly.
 
#22
#22
#24
#24
ATC_VOL said:
Wonder if weight and balance could have been an issue too.
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Sounds like wind/cross wind issue. Things get tricky with lift in those winds when you are climbing above a ridge line. 550 hours.......that's basically an infant on the stick
 
#25
#25
Victims names released

The pilot was Jason Dahl, 38, of Sevierville. The passengers were Johna Morvant, 49, from Kodak and her two children, Peyton and Parker Rasmussen with Huntersville, NC addresses. Also killed in the crash was Michael Glenn Mastalez, 21, of Prosper, Tex

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