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NTSB Begins Investigation into Cause of New York City Helicopter Crash

The Agusta A109E crashed onto the roof of a skyscraper at 787 7th Ave. in New York City on Monday. Courtesy KFLI
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • An Augusta 109E helicopter crashed onto a Manhattan skyscraper, killing the pilot and causing a fire, with limited visibility and a low cloud ceiling noted as contributing weather factors.
  • The pilot, Tim McCormack, who did not possess an instrument rating, reportedly waited for weather to improve before departing, but his subsequent 11-minute flight was erratic and ended after he climbed into clouds.
  • NTSB investigators are probing why the pilot initially lost and regained control, and then ascended into the clouds, with mechanical issues, pilot incapacitation, or disorientation due to poor visibility considered as potential causes.
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National Transportation Safety Board investigators are on the scene attempting to determine what caused an Augusta 109E helicopter to crash onto the rooftop of a Manhattan skyscraper on Monday afternoon, killing the pilot and causing a fire atop the building that briefly caused panic for those inside and on the streets below.

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