Action News Helicopter Crash
Following the deaths of two crew members on board Chopper 6 in a crash on Tuesday night, the Action News team is going through a terrible moment.
In Washington Township, New Jersey, the helicopter crashed shortly after 8 p.m., killing the pilot and the photographer inside. They were coming back from a Jersey Shore assignment.
Monroe Smith, 67, of Glenside, Pennsylvania, was the pilot, and Christopher Dougherty, 45, of Oreland, Pennsylvania, was the photographer.
They have been a part of the Action News team for many years and have a long history with our station.
"We have the utmost sympathy for these men. During an Action News report, reporter Katherine Scott stated, "They're broken for their families." "We just can't believe this has happened."
Pete Kane, a retired journalist from Philadelphia, has known Monroe Smith since high school. They used to fly together as well.
"Our shared objective was to complete the task as effectively as possible. I believe we both accomplished that. He persevered through it all "Kane said.
"Life brought us together and made us lifelong companions. And it hurts, really, really hurts," Kane continued."Tomorrow I'll wake up and wish it was a dream, but I know it's not."
Dougherty leaves behind a wife and two daughters. It was rumoured that he occasionally played the guitar in the office while awaiting his next task.
According to Kane, Dougherty would always lend a helping hand to a friend and would talk about his family during dinners.
At Northeast Philadelphia Airport, where the helicopter was stationed, reporter Maggie Kent conducted interviews with coworkers of the crew members.
"They are described as the best guys that you would want to know, on job for decades," she stated. "They are extremely proficient in their field. They were passionate about what they did."
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| Action News Helicopter Crash |
The investigation into the crash's cause is still ongoing.
Before 7:30 p.m., the helicopter took off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport, and the crew flew to an assignment in the vicinity of Galloway Township, New Jersey.
The altitude of the helicopter is decreasing as it heads back towards Philadelphia, according to flight tracker data. Before it crashed in a secluded area of the woods, Chopper 6 was last seen in the air over Wharton State Forest.
A debris field was discovered shortly after midnight in the Washington Township neighbourhood, near Middle Road and Quaker Bridge Atsion Road, a few hundred yards from Mullica River Road, according to New Jersey State Park Police.
Video of the wreckage was shot by a Philadelphia television station's helicopter. Flashlight searches revealed pieces of debris scattered around, some of which were smoking or on fire.
The region is a part of the million-acre New Jersey Pinelands wilderness, which spans over seven counties and is home to rare plant species, rivers, and thick forests.
At 3:15 a.m. on Wednesday, the Federal Aviation Administration arrived at the crash site and assumed control of the situation. The investigation will be overseen by the National Transportation Safety Board.
"It was decided at that point that the investigation would be suspended until sometime after daybreak due to the remote location of the scene and the limited visibility," New Jersey State Park Police Chief George Fedorczyk said. "Know that our thoughts are with the pilots, their families and the media community."
Quaker Bridge Road, Mullica River Road, and Middle Road—all unpaved local roads inside the forest—have been closed while the investigation is ongoing, according to state park police.
U.S. Helicopters Inc., a North Carolina-based company, is the lessor of Chopper 6, a 2013 American Eurocopter AS-350 Astar leased by 6abc.
The pilot and photographer were "beloved" longtime workers of U.S. Helicopters, the company said in a statement.
"We share their families' sorrow and extend our deepest sympathies to them in light of this tragic event. According to the wishes of the families, we will share arrangements "the statement states.
"We will cooperate with the FAA and other authorities during their investigation and are still gathering information, so we cannot comment or provide further information on the cause of this tragedy," said the statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of our cherished colleagues."
How the Chopper 6 crash will be looked into by the NTSB
Action News was informed by a National Transportation Safety Board representative that an investigator will start recording the incident and inspecting the helicopter on Thursday morning.
After that, the chopper will be brought to a safe location for assessment.
According to NTSB spokesperson Jennifer Gabris, "the pilot, the aircraft, and the operating environment are the three primary areas involved in NTSB investigations."
The flight track data, air traffic control communications, maintenance records, weather, the pilot's licence and flying experience, a background check on the pilot that lasted for 72 hours, witness statements, potential information from electronic devices and any surveillance video that is available, including doorbell cameras, are among the documents and information that the NTSB will review.
The NTSB does not identify or conjecture about the accident's cause while conducting its on-scene investigation, according to Grabis.
Within 30 days, a preliminary report will be made available.
Chopper 6's significant contribution to Action News
Our news-gathering operation depends heavily on Chopper 6 and its pilots, who reach locations that are challenging to access by land. They provide us with vital information about the day's news, traffic backups, and beautiful photos as well as weather updates.
In February 1980, the first helicopter designated as Chopper 6 was launched.
In Philadelphia, it was the first TV news helicopter.
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