| | This aircraft was destroyed on 7/4/2008 after colliding with high-voltage power lines over the Sunol grade and crashing onto Sheridan Road at the exit off I-680. Instructor pilot and student pilot killed and identities are pending investigation by the FAA, NTSB and the Contra Costa County Coroner. The aircraft was returning on a flight from Byron Airport to Reid-Hillview Airport in San Jose for a night training flight An off-duty deputy fire chief eyewitness driving nearby reported the helicopter flying very low and slow over the Sunol grade just before it contacted the power lines, and it did not sound like the engine was having mechanical
problems as it passed over the witness' vehicle before the collision. The marine layer was present at the time of the collision (12:32 AM), causing low visibility over the surrounding Calaveras mountains (no visibility below peak elevations and very low visibility over the Sunol grade). An NTSB preliminary report will be available by mid July 2008, but, a final report won't be published until as late as July 2009. |
by Steve Nation @ KRHV
by Steve Nation @ RHV
by Steve Nation @ RHV