Two utility workers were killed and two others were injured when their maintenance helicopter got caught in power lines and crashed in northeastern New York State. According to a CBS News report, the incident occurred in Beekmantown near Lake Champlain. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officials said the Aerospatiale AS355F2 helicopter came in contact with power lines and caught fire. All four workers ended up jumping from the chopper, falling 40 feet to the ground. Two of the workers died and two others survived with non-life-threatening injuries. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased workers and those who were injured.
Tragic Helicopter Accidents
A New Jersey aviation company owns the helicopter, the report stated. The workers were employed with Northline Utilities, a contractor that inspects and maintains power lines. Such maintenance work is typically done by having workers climb tall line towers or by using a chopper with a four-person crew. The New York Power Authority is reportedly working now with the Electric Power Research Institute to explore automated inspection technology using drones with the goal of making transmission system maintenance safe and more efficient.
These types of helicopter crashes involving maintenance utility workers have occurred across the nation with tragic consequences. In January, two contractors suffered fatal injuries when their helicopter crashed in northwest Ohio while they were doing maintenance work. In Michigan, in May 2015, two workers escaped injury when their chopper crashed during high-voltage line inspections. Three men were killed in another crash in Colorado back in 2014 while carrying out similar inspection work.
What Causes Helicopter Accidents?
Helicopter crashes may be rare, but they often result in life-threatening injuries and deaths. There are a number of reasons why helicopter accidents occur:
• Mechanical issues: Lack of proper maintenance and part failure are issues that may result in deadly helicopter accidents. Mechanical problems may also occur when the helicopter itself has not been properly designed or because of inadequate inspections and improper use of the aircraft.
• Operator error: Mistakes made by an inexperienced or incompetent pilot may also result in devastating crashes. When a pilot fails to operate the aircraft in accordance with its operational limitations or operates in unsafe weather or environmental conditions, the consequences can be devastating. Companies that charter helicopters – whether it is for the purpose of tourism or to transport maintenance workers, etc. – are required to hire qualified pilots, maintain the helicopter properly and properly train pilots and maintenance personnel.
• Electrical issues: When an electrical source/component or module stops functioning or begins to malfunction, a pilot and the helicopter may crash. With such complex machinery, the routine inspections and pre-flight inspections should address both, the hardware and software aspects.
• Power lines: Helicopter pilots should be trained to locate and identify power lines especially when a flight is being chartered for the specific purpose of repairing and/or maintaining power lines and electrical equipment. Operator inexperience is one of the reasons these types of accidents commonly occur.
Who is Liable in Helicopter Accidents?
A number of parties may be held liable for helicopter accidents depending on the circumstances of the crash and what caused the accident. For example, if the crash occurred due to a mechanical malfunction triggered by improper or inadequate maintenance, the charter company that owns the helicopter as well as the entity charged with its maintenance (if different) can be held liable. If the crash occurred due to operator incompetence or error, the operator and his or her employer may be held liable. If the helicopter crash happened because of a defective part or because of a faulty helicopter design, the manufacturer of the helicopter and/or the maker of the defective part can be held accountable.
In addition, depending on the circumstances, other parties that may be held liable include, but are not limited to, air traffic controllers, airfield or helicopter pad owners, maintenance companies, etc. Those who have lost loved ones in a helicopter crash may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault parties for damages including lost future income, funeral and burial costs, pain and suffering, etc.,
Compensation for Victims
If you or a loved one has been injured in an aviation accident, or if you have lost a loved one in an injury accident caused by negligence, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you.
For over 49 years, our skilled accident attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury and medical malpractice cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
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1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
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Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/helicopter-crash-beekmantown-new-york-2-killed-2-survive-40-foot-jump-after-copter-hits-power-lines/