NTSB: Pilots of LASD helicopter that crashed near Azusa discussed likelihood of hard landing

The pilots of a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s helicopter that crashed close to the San Gabriel reservoir in March had mentioned the potential for a tough touchdown attributable to blowing mud or contact with close by timber after they determined to land on a freeway turnout, in line with a preliminary report by the Nationwide Transportation Security Board.

The helicopter went down on the night of March 19 close to East Fork Street and Freeway 39.

Shortly after the helicopter crashed, Sheriff Alex Villanueva held a press convention and mentioned the helicopter crew was helping the Los Angeles County Fireplace Division with transporting a affected person from a car rollover.

In accordance with the NTSB, the pilot-in-command advised investigators they’d chosen a touchdown zone on the freeway turnout whereas responding to the emergency name.

The helicopter’s pilots and the helicopter’s crew chief had mentioned the chance of diminished visibility as a consequence of mud being swept up by the rotors of the helicopter, also referred to as a brownout, in addition to the potential for hitting timber whereas trying to make the touchdown.

Finally, the pilots opted to land anyway however at about 5 toes above floor the crew chief known as for pilots to “maintain.” The helicopter then skilled a brownout as mud swirled up and diminished visibility after which the plane made sudden contact with a tree, NTSB officers mentioned.

The helicopter touched down, rolled onto its left aspect and got here to relaxation close to a tree.

All occupants of the helicopter needed to be assisted by first responders. Each pilots, in addition to two passengers, have been critically injured. Two different passengers suffered minor accidents.

In the course of the rollover, the pilot-in-command’s lap belt separated from the seat. Investigators later decided that the brackets used to maintain the pilot safely secured within the helicopter had fractured, the NTSB mentioned.

The helicopter’s fuselage and fundamental rotor sustained main harm however all main elements have been positioned on the scene of the crash.

The crash stays beneath investigation by the NTSB. Investigations of this nature can usually take a number of months to a 12 months to finish, officers mentioned.