Breaking news..... Justin Travis had a crash in his helicopter this morning

[GyroRon]

Don't know much about it, other than it was his Hughes 500 and it is in a field.... The news said something about it hit powerlines..... Justin is in the hospital, his passenger had fatal injuries. Will post more as I know more.

[StanFoster]

Ron- Thanks for posting this news, even if it such terrible news. Thoughts and prayers to those hurting from this tragedy. I was going to post a helicopter question to draw Justin out for another of his excellent answers. Stan

[Passin' Thru]

Oh Man! That is really BAD news! just makes my stomach sick!
My hopes and prayers are for his recovery.
My Condolences for the family of the deceased.

[MikeSherman]

I found this article:

http://news14.com/content/local_news/charlotte/603925/at-least-1-dead-in-monroe-helicopter-crash/Default.aspx

My hopes and prayers to all involved.

-Mike

[GyroRon]

The passenger worked at the airport, from what they were saying, sounds like he was one of the guys who gassed up the planes. Pure speculation, but knowing Justin... he was probably just going up for a pleasure flight and invited the guy for a ride. I have Justins # but I am not sure I should call me, kinda like what do you say....? I am going out to the airport and will buzz around to see if I can see the accident site

[MikeSherman]

Another article with a little more info...

http://www.wsoctv.com/news/18539408/detail.html

-Mike

[Mayfield]

I pray for God's mercy for all touched by this horrible event.

Jim Mayfield

[dragonflyerthom]

My prayers for Justin and the family of the fatality.

[ckurz7000]

That's sad news! Justin gave me great info and tips on balancing my rotor. I hope he recovers soon. My best wishes go out to him and the family of the deceased passenger.

Curiously, the first article lists Mark Bartlett as the pilot whereas the second one says Justin Travis was flying.

-- Chris.

[animal]

man I hate to hear this. hope he recovers soon.
prayers for his and the other partys familys.

sad day for sure.

[barnstorm2]

I certainly hope he has a quick and complete recovery.

Powerlines suck.

.

[fiveboy]

Bad news. God keep the departed one and look after Justin.

[animal]

http://www.wsoctv.com/news/18539408/detail.html

in this link,these idiots say they don't even know why Justin was in the helicopter.

well duh. it's his helicopter. unless that guy owned a OH6A also, which I think Justin would have posted pics of if he did.

[animal]

here is the link to raw video from the news copter.

http://www.wsoctv.com/video/18539644/index.html

I sure hate seeing this Justin is a nice guy and that was a sweet OH6A.

from the looks i am suprised Justin survived.

[helipaddy]

Awful news.

[Harry_S.]

Sad happening indeed.

The one "RAW" video looks like the machine came almost straight down. No really visible ground scars.

Our prayers are with both families.


Cheers

[Chuck Roberg]

My thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and family's involved. I hope Justin gets thru this OK. I know it will be hard on him to know someone got killed.

[RotoPlane]

In a FW the pilot flys the left seat but most helicopters the pilot flys the right seat. That may be the cause of the confusion. I'm so sorry Justin.

[barnstorm2]

here is the link to raw video from the news copter.

http://www.wsoctv.com/video/18539644/index.html

I sure hate seeing this Justin is a nice guy and that was a sweet OH6A.

from the looks i am suprised Justin survived.

WOW, tim that is a great link.

NOTICE how you can only see the power lines against the black heli body in the extreme close up.

They are invisible otherwise!!

Look at about 50 seconds in.

[Arnie Madsen]

This is awful news. They don't come much better than Justin Travis. Thoughts and prayers for both Justin and Mark's family.

In my early years of flying I read 20 years of accident reports for helicopters. Top of the list was wire strikes. They can snag even the best pilot.

[animal]

here is a link to some still photos.

http://www.wsoctv.com/slideshow/news/18539778/detail.html

[WaspAir]

This is awful news. They don't come much better than Justin Travis. Thoughts and prayers for both Justin and Mark's family.

In my early years of flying I read 20 years of accident reports for helicopters. Top of the list was wire strikes. They can snag even the best pilot.

I second those thoughts. While everybody's hearts are with Justin, it's a good time for our heads to be thinking about our own vulnerability, and to use a sad event like this to re-think our own operations. When accomplished pilots have accidents, it's a message and reminder to the rest of us that we're all capable of errors. Let's all be careful out there, take nothing for granted, and remember that it CAN happen to us.

[scottessex]

Thanks for the links. I hate to hear about things like this. Prayers with both families.

[animal]

I just noticed something, from the youtube video at Homers,you can clearly see he had the wire strike protection system installed, look at the 2 blades things on the top and bottom. they are supposed to cut thru the wires. makes me wonder why they did not work.

the local news here in Greensboro showed it on the 5:00 news.

[brett s]

Wire strike protection kits can help but aren't 100% effective - speed, type & quantity of wires, and where you catch them on the ship all matter. I've seen Army testing where they swung ships into wires on a boom so they could control the impact speed & position, pretty eye opening stuff.

I hate hearing about this, my thoughts go out to both families.

[StanFoster]

I just checked in at Vertical Reference and it was reported that Justin is in critical condition.

Stan

[animal]

I just checked in at Vertical Reference and it was reported that Justin is in critical condition.

Stan what is vertical referance?

[StanFoster]

Tim- Its a helicopter site I go to a lot , mainly to lurk. Justin posts there occasionally.


http://helicopterforum.verticalreference.com/helicopterforum/index.php?showforum=1



Stan

[animal]

ok thanks Stan,I will have to check it out.
thanks for the link.

[animal]

Well Stan,you can stop lurking,someone just started a Helicycle post on there,time to sign up and educate the others about your build.

pretty cool site.

[GyroRon]

Okay, pretty serious thread to be going off topic there Timmy!....

Back to Justins accident, I have not heard anything new since I posted this. I did call him, but the voice mail answered and wouldn't expect a return call with all the things he will have on his lap once he is out of the hospital.

I did go up this afternoon in my plane and found the accident site and circled it about 5 or 6 times, checking it out.

I do not know how low he was flying or which direction. From 1800-2000 feet msl ( about 1000-1300 AGL ) the powerlines were as clear as day and very hard to miss. These weren't low slung residential lines you might see on the side of the road, these were thicker and taller high tension lines, they stuck out like a sore thumb.

By the time I got out there and found the place, the helicopter looked to be sitting on the back of a rollback tow truck. And from what it looked like to me, the helicopter must have landed right under the lines.

Again, not sure how or what caused this accident. There was plenty of open space on either side of the powerlines, so I can't see how if the engine flamed out that he would autorotate right into the wires..... I can only guess he flew right into them. Of course where they were located, depending on his direction of travel, I don't know why he would be flying along that low.

Anyhow, this sucks. I think the person who passed away was buddies with another pilot out at my airport. I was told that He was also a helicopter pilot, so maybe he was PIC... hard to say right now.

Guys fly carefully and watch out for powerlines, it is one of my biggest fears of flying....

[Timchick]

Very sad to hear this. Out thoughts and prayers will be with both families. The power lines they hit looked like high voltage lines. They may have been too big/thick for the wire cutting device to cut through.

Our Sheriff Dept's helicopter was in a persuit a couple weeks ago and clipped some power lines but did not crash. They were very lucky.

[Arnie Madsen]

One source has said Mark was the pilot , and that he also owned an R44.

Speculation suggests he was flying under the lines and caught the rotor. Look at the still picture #10 the transmission and rotor head are ripped out and the wire is still there.

http://www.wsoctv.com/slideshow/news/18539778/detail.html

Tragic situation ,whatever the cause .

[GyroRon]

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/local/story/490553.html Another article that has a good diagram of the area of the accident.

[gbjunkie]

Any news on Justin's condition?



Jody

[animal]

Any news on Justin's condition?



Jody I was on the V.R. helicopter website and saw he had logged on today,sent him an E-mail but no reply yet.of course it could have been a family member logged in for him. hope he is doing ok.

[GyroRon]

Got a email from Justin.....



Ron



This is Justin. I just happened to go on the RW Forum and see the thread on my accident.



I just wanted to touch base with you and let you know I am OK and recovering at home. I suffered a brain bruise that has caused some memory loss though. I have no recollection of the day of the accident or even some time prior. I appreciate all the well wishes. My actual physical injures are not bad considering what happened. It will take time and rest to recover from all of this. There will be an investigation and it may take 6 months to a year. I am sure eventually there will be a reason.



Thanks again for your concern. Pass along my thanks to members of the forum.



Justin

[Harry_S.]

Thanks Ron.


Cheers :)

[StanFoster]

Justin- It hurts to imagine what you and your family are going through and the tragedy the other family has experienced. My thoughts and prayers for what everyone involved is going through. Stan

[Vance]

Hello Justin,

I hope for a speedy recovery.

A head injury that is enough to cause memory loss may affect you in ways that you do not anticipate.

Speaking from experience it is worthwhile to learn about acquired brain injuries and the ways to mitigate the challenges that a loss of brain functionality may create.

Because a brain injury is not as evident as a broken arm and the response to it can be unexpected it is important to stay ahead of it and let your friends know of your challenges.

If I can help in any way, please let me know.

Thank you, Vance

[Arnie Madsen]

preliminary http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=20090122X30337&key=1

We are still thinking of you Justin.
Wishing the Best to you and your family.

[Timchick]

Ron,
Have you heard from Justin lately? How's his recovery coming along?

[GyroRon]

Haven't heard squat... I have no idea what he is up to