Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Salt Lake City, Utah
Robinson Helicopter Company; Torrance, California
Lycoming Engines; Denver, Colorado
Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Native Range Capture Services, Inc:http://registry.faa.gov/N3234U
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Tuesday, December 02, 2014 in Bountiful, UT
Probable Cause Approval Date: 04/04/2017
Aircraft: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44, registration: N3234U
Injuries: 2 Fatal.
NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
Before the accident flight, the commercial helicopter pilot, who was also a mechanic, had re-installed the main rotor blades, which had just been reworked, on the helicopter. The accident flight was a test flight to adjust the track and balance of the rotor blades. A mechanic, who spoke with the pilot a few weeks before the accident, stated that they had a discussion about an elongated pitch change link attachment hole on the accident helicopter and how to address it. On the night before the accident flight, they spoke again; the pilot was having trouble tracking the blades on the accident helicopter. The pilot stated that he could not get the blades to track any better, and that he was trying to change the track with the trim tabs.
Witnesses in the area of the accident site heard "popping" or "banging" sounds, then saw the main rotor and empennage separate from the helicopter. Several of the witnesses then saw the helicopter tumble in flight and impact the roof of a building. The main rotor and empennage came to rest on the ground a few hundred feet from the building. Witness statements and wreckage documentation were consistent with a main rotor blade striking the tail and subsequently, a mast bump, which resulted in the helicopter descending uncontrollably.
The damage observed on the components of the main rotor system was consistent with an in-flight separation of the pitch change link for the red blade, with separation occurring at the location where the pitch change link attached to the swashplate. The swashplate was free of contact marks corresponding to contact with the red pitch change link, which contrasted with the area around the blue blade pitch change link attachment, where multiple contact marks corresponding to contact with the blue pitch change link were observed. Also, the red pitch change link was intact and relatively straight, indicating that separation occurred under loads less than that required to buckle or fracture the pitch change link. The slight bending in the red pitch change links was likely secondary to the separation of the attachment at the lower end as evidenced by the location of the corresponding thread contact marks on the pitch horn. Finally, a series of impressions corresponding to contact with threads on the red blade pitch change link attachment bolt were observed on the attachment hole bore through the swashplate in an area that should have only contacted the grip portion of the bolt. Thus, it is likely that the intact bolt separated from the attachment due to loss of the lock nut and palnut.
Torque measurements were obtained on the locknuts installed on the three recovered pitch change link attachment bolts. All measured torque values were lower than that specified in the helicopter's maintenance manual, indicating that the fasteners were improperly torqued before the accident. While torque for the missing attachment bolt could not be measured, the torque measured on the remaining pitch change link attachment bolts and witness marks on the attachment hole bore in the swashplate suggest that the bolt likely separated due to insufficient torque applied at the time of installation, which led to the loss of the locknut and palnut due to vibrational loads under normal operation.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot/mechanic's failure to properly secure the pitch link hardware of one main rotor blade to the rotating swash plate, which resulted in the pitch link separating in flight and a subsequent loss of control.
HISTORY OF FLIGHT
On December 2, 2014, about 1400 mountain standard time, a Robinson R44 II helicopter, N3234U, impacted a two-story building while maneuvering near Skypark Airport (BTF), Bountiful, Utah. The commercial pilot/mechanic and passenger were fatally injured, and the helicopter was substantially damaged. The helicopter was registered to Native Range Capture Services, Inc., Elko, Nevada, and operated by Native Range, Inc, Ventura, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the area, and no flight plan was filed for the local, post-maintenance test flight, which was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight departed from BTF shortly before the accident.
According to the owner of the helicopter, the pilot/mechanic was performing maintenance on the main rotor assembly and the purpose of the post-maintenance flight was part of the procedure to "track and balance" the main rotor blades. This maintenance spanned over several days.
Several witnesses in the area of the accident site heard "popping" or "banging" sounds then saw the main rotor and empennage separate from the helicopter. Some of the witnesses then saw the helicopter tumble in flight and impact the top of a building. The main rotor and empennage came to rest on the ground a few hundred feet from the impacted building. Security camera video footage from a nearby business captured the helicopter in the air shortly after the separation of the main rotor and empennage.
PERSONNEL INFORMATION
The pilot, age 65, held a commercial pilot certificate with rotorcraft, airplane single-engine land, multi-engine land, and instrument ratings. The pilot held a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) second-class medical certificate, which was issued on April 1, 2014, with no limitations. The pilot reported on his most recent medical certificate application that he had accumulated 5,500 total hours of flight experience. The pilot was issued a mechanic certificate on August 17, 2012, with ratings for airframe and powerplant. He attended the Robinson Helicopter Company's maintenance course in December 2008.
The passenger, age 63, held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land. He held an FAA third-class medical certificate, issued on October 26, 2006, with the limitations that he must have available glasses for near vision, and not valid for any class after. The pilot reported on his most recent medical certificate application that he had accumulated 250 total hours of flight experience. He was issued a mechanic certificate on September 9, 2008, with ratings for airframe and powerplant. He had not attended the Robinson Helicopter Company's maintenance course.
AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
The four-seat helicopter was manufactured in February 2007. It was powered by a Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 reciprocating engine rated at 205 horsepower.
The helicopter's owner stated that, during a flight in the accident helicopter the month before the accident, the helicopter "had a bit of a vertical [vertical vibrations]". The blades also had noticeable slop and movement in the pitch change link bolt attachment to the swashplate. During a 100-hour inspection, on November 2, 2014, at 582 hours of helicopter total time, the owner and pilot/mechanic recommended sending the blades out for rework. According to airframe records, the [red] main rotor blade pitch horn was replaced, and the pilot-rated mechanic declined repainting of the blades. When the blades returned, the owner hired the pilot-rated mechanic to install the blades and track them in a heavier configuration.
According to a mechanic who spoke with the pilot a few weeks before the accident, they discussed an elongated pitch change link attachment hole on the accident helicopter and how to address it. On the night before the accident flight, they spoke again, and the pilot said he was having trouble tracking the blades on the accident helicopter. He reported that the blades could not track any better than a 1/2-inch separation, and that he was using the trim tabs to change the track. The mechanic suggested that the pilot use the fine adjustments on the pitch change links, then fly through all flight regimes, and fine tune with the trim tabs. He recommended to the pilot to look at the entire rotor system and thought that something was amiss.
Review of the helicopter's maintenance records showed that on September 12, 2007, at 87.3 hours total time, the hub and blades were rebuilt by Robinson Helicopter Company. The spindles, which include the pitch horns, were reused during the rebuild.
METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION
The 1353 weather observation at Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), Salt Lake City, Utah, located 5 miles south of the accident site, reported wind from 320 degrees at 3 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, scattered clouds at 15,000 feet above ground level, broken clouds at 19,000 above ground level, temperature 8 degrees C, dew point 2 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 30.05 inches of mercury.
WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION
Examination of the accident site by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) revealed a wreckage debris field about 880 ft in length, about 400 ft in width, and oriented on a 277° magnetic heading. The main rotor and empennage separated from the main wreckage before impact and were found within the wreckage debris field. The main rotor assembly was found near a parking lot about 188 ft from the main wreckage. The empennage separated from the main wreckage and was found near a parking lot about 430 ft from the main wreckage. Several sections of the tail rotor drive shaft were found throughout the debris field. A large section of the tail rotor drive shaft pierced the roof about 90 ft from where the fuselage entered the roof. Both pitch change links and transmission housing material were found throughout the debris field. Plexiglas sections were found throughout the debris field. A 4-ft section of the main rotor blade tip was found in a retention pond and was furthest from the main wreckage.
The main wreckage impacted and penetrated the roof of a two-story building about 2,000 ft southwest of the approach end of runway 34 at BTF. A postimpact fire occurred; however, the building's sprinkler system was activated, and an overhead sprinkler pressure line was separated near the main wreckage, releasing water and limiting the postimpact fire to the main wreckage. The main wreckage displayed impact damage and was partially damaged by the fire.
The wreckage was recovered to a secure facility for further examination. The main wreckage, consisting of the cabin area and a 5-ft section of the tailboom, exhibited impact and thermal damage. The left side of the cabin was crushed inward towards the center, and the right side near the firewall was crushed inward. The rear seat area had minor thermal damage.
The cabin area was crushed and distorted. Both forward seat structures were crushed inward and slightly forward. The front of the fuselage was crushed inward and the windshield was shattered. First responders cut the left forward seat belts. The right forward seat belts were unbuckled.
The top side of the airframe had several disconnects and separations, and was bent to the right side. The tail cone separated aft of the number seven bay, and bay numbers 4, 5 and 6 separated into several sections, consistent with a main rotor strike. The left side of the number 1, 2 and 3 tail cone bays were flattened inward.
The flight controls had several disconnects between the cyclic/collective and swashplate. All fractures exhibited signatures consistent with overload. The tail rotor flight controls had several disconnects from the pedals to the tail rotor, and all separations exhibited overload signatures.
The fuel tanks remained attached to the airframe. The crossover hose fitting at the main tank was separated. The fuel vent hoses pulled apart from vent line fittings. The hoses and lines were clear of debris. Both fuel tank skins sustained impact damage, and the bladders remained intact. Both fuel caps remained secured to the filler neck.
The empennage was fractured about 32 inches from the tail rotor gearbox mount. The tail rotor blades sustained minor impact damage. The tail rotor driveshaft exhibited an impact about 4 inches from the empennage separation. The curvature of the impact mark was consistent with the curvature of the main rotor blade leading edge. The tail rotor drive shaft separated in four places. The tail rotor blades exhibited signatures consistent with low rotor RPM at ground impact.
The v-belts remained attached to the upper sheave and were split between the vees. The belts had thermal damage. The intermediate flex plate was distorted.
The upper sheave forward and aft faces had rotational scoring around the entire circumference. The upper frame tubes adjacent to the forward face had scoring running in the direction of rotation of the upper sheave. The clutch centering strut had rotational scoring on its forward face adjacent to the aft face of the upper sheave running in the direction of rotation. The oil cooler had rotational scoring adjacent to the starter ring gear. The alternator cooling fan was distorted around its entire circumference.
The main rotor gearbox (MRGB) separated at the gearbox housing. The MRGB mast tube fractured near its midsection. The MRGB drive shaft was bent below the swashplate and bent and separated at the teeter stop.
The red blade remained attached to the main rotor hub. The separated sections of the outboard end were found in the debris field. The tip cap was broken, with the attachment bolts still integral to the main rotor blade. The blade tip and about 43 inches of the leading edge spar were found near the beginning of the debris field. Two afterbody sections measuring about 45 inches in length separated the tip. Gray paint transfer marks, about 2 inches wide and 4 inches long, were observed on the upper surface about 25 inches from the tip. The blade spar was bent forward about 15° beginning about 54 inches from the tip. The leading edge was damaged about 4 ft from the hub. Red transfer marks on the leading edge were found about 42 inches from the center of rotation of the blade. The pitch horn separated from the blade grip and the fractured surface was consistent with overload. Thread imprints were observed above the pitch change link upper rod end. The pitch change link remained attached to the pitch change horn and had multiple bends. The counterweights and hardware for the lower red blade pitch change link to swashplate attachment was not found. The blade droop stop was bent downward and remained attached to the grip.
The blue blade remained attached to the main rotor hub. The tip cap separated from the blade and was found in the main wreckage. The blade spar was continuous from the inboard to the outboard end. The blade afterbody was fractured from the spar to the tip end to about 72 inches inboard. The spar was bent opposite the direction of rotation about 72 inches from the tip end, bent about 15° aft. The blade afterbody wrinkled aft of the spar attachment area from the tip end to 96 inches inboard of the tip end. The blue blade had impact marks on the leading edge, about 20 inches from the center of rotation. The curvature of the impact marks was consistent with the curvature of damage on the blue blade's pitch horn. The pitch horn was fractured at the blade grip, and the fracture surface was consistent with overload. Thread imprints were observed on the pitch horn above the pitch change link upper rod end. The droop stop was bent downward but remained integral to the grip. The pitch change horn was recovered in the debris field. The upper rod end remained attached to the pitch change horn but was fractured at the threads beneath the upper rod end bearing. The midsection of the pitch change link was recovered loose but was fractured at the pitch change link barrel. The lower section of the pitch change link remained attached to the swashplate. The threads adjacent to the lower rod end were bent.
The main rotor hub hardware, including the bolts, shims, nuts, and safeties, remained intact. The hub exhibited impact marks of the blue blade grip contacting the hub, consistent with flapping exceedance. Similar impact marks of less severity were observed on the red blade grip side. A small upper section of the main rotor drive shaft remained attached to the hub via the teetering bolt. The small upper section separated a few inches below the hub, and was severely bent inward on the side of the red blade spindle. Coarse thread imprints were found on the lower edge of the hub immediately beneath the red blade coning bolt, consistent with a pitch change link. On the upper surface of the hub, adjacent to the teetering bolt on the red blade side, an impact mark was consistent with the impact from a pitch change rod link end bearing.
The swashplate red blade pitch change link bolt hole exhibited dark surface markings on the outboard edge and about midway down the bore. Thread impact marks were found on the swashplate adjacent to the lower rod end bearing of the blue blade pitch change link attachment location.
The landing skids were fractured in multiple locations. The aft crosstube separated from the main wreckage. The forward crosstube remained attached to the cabin. Both the forward left and aft left struts were bent aft.
The engine remained attached to the fuselage. Thermal damage was noted to the wiring harness and ignition leads. The engine was covered in a sooty residue. The firewall and fuel pump housing exhibited impact damage. The magneto ignition leads exhibited impact damage near the distributer cap, and thermal damage near the cylinders. The lower sparkplugs were removed and revealed normal wear conditions with light gray deposits. Two of the spark plugs were saturated in oil. The crankshaft was rotated by hand, and cylinder compression was obtained. The ignition leads were cut near the thermal damage, and spark was obtained from all leads during crankshaft rotation. The magnetos were not removed during the examination. Rotational scoring was evident on the fan wheel assembly. The starter ring gear separated from the flywheel. The oil pickup screen was removed and was clear of debris. The exhaust assembly was crushed upwards.
A detailed report of a follow-up examination is contained in the NTSB public docket.
MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Postmortem examinations were performed on the pilot and passenger by the Utah Department of Health, Medical Examiner's office. The cause of death for each was reported as total body blunt force injuries.
The FAA's Civil Aerospace Medical Institute performed forensic toxicology on specimens from the pilot. The tests were negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, volatiles and tested-for drugs.
TEST AND RESEARCH
The main rotor blades (both inboard sections), hub, upper mast section, upper drive shaft section, droop stops (2), yoke, pitch change links (2), main rotor blade pitch change horns (2), and swashplate were sent to the NTSB Materials Laboratory for further examination. The examination revealed that all fractures were consisted with overstress failure, and no preexisting cracking was noted. The examination also revealed that the pitch change link attachment hole for the red blade appeared intact and free of damage. The red blade pitch link was intact and relatively straight. The counterweights and the lower red blade pitch change link attachment hardware were missing. Torque measurements were taken on nuts installed on the three recovered pitch change link attachment bolts. The torque values for all three nuts were lower than that required by the manufacturer's maintenance manual. A detailed report of the examination is contained in the NTSB public docket.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
According to manufacturer's maintenance instructions, the attachment bolts used at the upper and lower ends of the pitch change links are NAS6605 series bolts. The locknuts for the NAS6605 series bolts should be fastened to a dry torque value of 240 lb-in ± 24 lb-in, and palnuts used on NAS6605 series bolts should be applied with a dry torque of 20 lb-in to 40 lb-in. During installation, the palnuts are installed over the top of the locking nut.
NTSB Identification: WPR15FA051
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Tuesday, December 02, 2014 in North Salt Lake, UT
Aircraft: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44, registration: N3234U
Injuries: 2 Fatal.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
On December 2, 2014, about 1400 mountain standard time, a Robinson R44 II helicopter, N3234U, impacted a two-story building while maneuvering near Skypark Airport (BTF), Bountiful, Utah. The commercial pilot-rated mechanic and passenger were fatally injured. The helicopter was substantially damaged. The helicopter was registered to Native Range Capture Services, Inc., Elko, Nevada and operated by Native Range Inc, Ventura, California. The local flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a post maintenance flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, and no flight plan was filed. The flight departed from BTF shortly before the accident.
Witnesses, who were in the area of the accident site, reportedly heard popping sounds then saw the main rotor and empennage separate from the helicopter as the helicopter flew overhead. Several of the witnesses then saw the helicopter tumble in flight and impact the top of a building. The main rotor blade and empennage impacted the ground a few hundred feet from the impacted building.
The owner of the helicopter reported that mechanics performed maintenance to the main rotor assembly and the purpose of the post-maintenance flight was to check the "track and balance" of the main rotor blades.
Examination of the accident site by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge revealed that the helicopter impacted the top of a two-story building about 2,000 feet southwest of the approach end of runway 34 at BTF. A post-impact fire occurred that was concentrated at the main wreckage. The main wreckage had impact damage and was partially damaged by postimpact fire. The main rotor and empennage were found within the wreckage debris field. The wreckage debris field was about 880 feet in length and about 400 feet in width and on a 277 degree magnetic heading. The wreckage was recovered to a secure location for further examination.
Any witnesses should email witness@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov.
FAA Flight Standards District Office : FAA Salt Lake City FSDO-07
Bruce Gordon Orr
September 29, 1951 ~ December 2, 2014
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, 5 children, 19 grandchildren, and 1 soon-to-be great-grandchild. Bruce loved the Gospel of Jesus Christ and people. When the family needed him, he was there with help, advice and was the rock and cornerstone of his family.
Bruce was born September 29, 1951 in Brooks, Alberta, Canada to Gordon D. Orr and Jeannine Ockey. He was an experienced private pilot and very passionate about flying. He earned an Engineering Degree from Central Washington University and became a capable airplane mechanic. As part owner of Flight Ready Aviation he got to go play every day for work.
Bruce was in love with his wife, cared for his children and was proud of their accomplishments. He preached the Gospel in the Cumorah Mission, served as Bishop and currently served in the Salt Lake Temple with his devoted wife.
He blessed our lives. We draw strength from our faith in knowing we will see him again.
The funeral will be Saturday, December 6 at 1PM in the Tooele South Stake Center, 1025 Southwest Drive, Tooele. A viewing is scheduled the night before at Tate Mortuary, 110 S Main Street, Tooele.
A trust fund has been setup in his name at Key Bank in Tooele for those that are interested.
- Source: http://obitsutah.pcobits.com
Claus Hauer
1949 ~ 2014
Major Claus Hauer (Ret), 65, died December 2, 2014, in a tragic helicopter crash in Salt Lake City, Utah, with his friend and business partner, Bruce Orr. Claus was born in Berlin, Germany to Werner Hauer and Ruth Herrmann. Claus married his eternal companion, Donna Guzman, on May 5, 1973, in Agana, Guam.His many varied interests and talents led to a fulfilling life in both work and play. After enlisting in the Navy and working as a surgical technician, he found his lifelong passion in Aviation. The US Army offered him the opportunity to fix and fly helicopters and sent him, Donna, and family to many theaters throughout the world. Claus had an infectious personality, was fearlessly sociable, and had a very giving soul that touched the lives of all who knew him. He loved Golf and sought out courses everywhere he went. He loved anything in the outdoors or high-adventure activities. He often fell asleep watching sports of any kind on TV. He took pride in his work and believed if a job was worth doing, it was worth doing right.
Claus and Donna recently returned from a successful and rewarding mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in El Paso, Texas. Claus held many titles and accomplished much in this life: Respected Son, Loyal Husband, Admired Father, Grandpa, Eagle Scout, Elder, Bishop, Missionary, Master's Degree Recipient, Teacher, Decorated Soldier-Major (R), Accomplished Pilot, and Friend.
Claus was preceded in death by his mother, Ruth Herrmann. Claus is survived by his father, Werner (Anna Marie), siblings Carola and Thomas (Theresa), wife, Donna, children, Jason (Jesyca), Christopher (Pamela), Katherine (Jerry), Matthew, and Jennifer (Michael), and 13 grandchildren.
A viewing will take place at the LDS church at 8060 S. 615 E., Sandy, Utah, on Saturday, December 6th, from 9:00 am - 10:45 am with a memorial service beginning at 11:00 am. Burial services will be held Monday, December 8th, at 12:00 pm, at the Veterans Memorial Park, Bluffdale, Utah. www.goffmortuary.com
http://www.legacy.com
Bruce OrrNORTH SALT LAKE — Two men killed in a helicopter crash here were on a routine maintenance test flight, a colleague said Wednesday.
The men, identified as Claus Hauer, 65, of Sandy, and Bruce Orr, 63, of Tooele, worked for an aircraft repair business and were taking a client’s helicopter for a test flight when it crashed into a roof Tuesday, said Rick Swisher, owner of Quicksilver Air Inc.
“Obviously, it was a catastrophic failure of some sort,” said Swisher, who employed Hauer as director of maintenance for his company that specializes in helicopter support for wildlife capture.
The Robinson R-44 had just taken off from the Sky Park Airport in Bountiful when it crashed into a building in an industrial area of North Salt Lake about 2 p.m. Tuesday, authorities said.
Federal investigators are looking into what caused the crash in an investigation.
Orr and Hauer were co-owners of Flight Ready Aviation, an aviation repair business in Woods Cross. The two also co-owned Precision Air Power, also based in Woods Cross, according to family.
Orr’s son, Brian Orr, issued a statement on Wednesday about the legacy and impression his father left on all those who knew him.
“My father was an incredible, faithful, and loving man. He loved his family, church, and work,” Brian Orr wrote. “He was the rock and cornerstone of our family. He was there for us when we needed him, to help and give advice. ”
“Some of our fondest memories are of flying with him,“ he said adding that Orr taught and coached his four boys in baseball and always loved to hear his only daughter play the flute for him.
Bruce Orr is survived by a wife, five children, seven siblings, a mother and 18 grandchildren.
Hauer worked as a pilot for the Salt Lake City news station KUTV from about 2002 to 2005, photographer Mike Sadowski said.
“He was an army-trained pilot, straightforward. He was so well-versed,” Sadowski said. “He knew the aircraft inside and out.”
The pair covered traffic accidents, wildfires and air shows together, though he said Hauer scaled back on his flying time after he had a few hard landings in 2004 and 2005.
Swisher said both Hauer and Orr shared a strong religious faith and a zest for life.
“I’ve never met two more honest men in my life,” he said.
The two-story building was empty when the crash happened, but it left a large hole in the roof, Black said.
http://www.standard.net
An investigator photographs the wreckage as he examines the remains of a helicopter that crashed onto an empty building yesterday afternoon, killing two men on board, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014, in North Salt Lake. (Tom Smart, Deseret News)NORTH SALT LAKE — Many questions remain unanswered after a helicopter crashed into a building in North Salt Lake on Tuesday, killing two men.
But this much is clear: Claus Hauer and Bruce Orr died doing what they loved.
"They had a huge passion for aviation, a huge following of people here at the airport and other airports. A lot of people knew who they were," said Chris Volzer, who oversees incoming and departing aircraft at Skypark Airport in Woods Cross. "Probably some of the nicest people, good-hearted people."
But their love for flying and experience with aircraft makes it harder for those who know them to understand what went wrong.
"We're in a dazed state. Surreal. We're waiting for information," Orr's son Brian Orr said Wednesday. "Today is a day of walking around not knowing what to do."
The two men took off from Skypark Airport in a Robinson R-44 helicopter and crashed onto the roof of a building at 501 W. 900 North just before 2 p.m, according to Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Allen Kenitzer.
Ben Tidswell, the pilot for KSL Chopper 5 and "close personal friend" of Hauer and Orr, was sitting in his helicopter at the airport when he saw the helicopter fly by, followed by sounds of mechanical failure.
"I watched the helicopter pass by in front of me then go out of sight behind some buildings, and I could still hear the helicopter flying," Tidswell said. "Then I heard 'wink, wink, wink,' and then nothing at all. The engine noise went away; the rotor blade noise went away. There was no noise at all. … Generally, if the sound goes away, that's a problem."
Seconds later, Tidswell's mechanic opened the helicopter door and told him he had seen the helicopter break apart midflight.
"So we jumped in cars and went over there and looked at all the wreckage sitting everywhere," Tidswell said.
Other witnesses also reported seeing the aircraft fall apart in the sky.
Volzer said the two men were well-known among local aviators, who mourn their deaths.
"It's a very tight community," he said. "If anything happens, good or bad, it spreads fast because it's a very, very close community."
The bodies of Hauer and Orr were pulled from the wreckage Tuesday night, according to North Salt Lake police. No one on the ground was injured, but the building sustained significant damage.
On Wednesday, the flight's purpose, the original condition of the aircraft and the cause of the crash were all unclear.
"I don't think it's worth speculating," Tidswell said. "I would say this: It is incredibly rare for any kind of aircraft, whether it be helicopter or fixed-wing, to break up in flight like that. There's going to be a lot of questions that need to be answered."
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash in conjunction with the Federal Aviation Administration and the helicopter's manufacturer. Investigators were taking GPS plots of the wreckage and gathering witness statements Wednesday, according to National Transportation Safety Board spokesman Andrew Swick.
Swick said a preliminary report will be completed within a week with basic information and witness statements. But a final report with the official determination of what caused the crash could take as long as 18 months to complete, he said.
Investigators are considering elements such as weather, human factors, safety of flight, maintenance backgrounds and the pilot's experience, Swick said.
"Right now, we're just gathering those facts," he said. "Witness statements are coming in. Once we look at those, we'll assess what we have."
Hauer, of Sandy, was a pilot of more than 30 years and was licensed to fly both helicopters and planes. He was a chopper pilot for KUTV from 2002 to 2005.
In 1999, Hauer was piloting a single-engine Cessna Sparrowhawk 152 as a flight instructor with a student. During the flight, the plane began to sputter and Hauer noticed the fuel gauge drop rapidly. He then took over control of the plane and crash landed it in a tree in Murray, avoiding busy street traffic nearby.
The student credited Hauer with avoiding what could have been a disastrous crash, allowing both men to walk away uninjured.
Orr, 63, of Tooele, was a helicopter mechanic and former LDS bishop. Richard Orr spoke of his father's long-held passion for working with aircraft.
"He would take me into work, and I'd get to hang out with him," Richard Orr said. "Some of my earliest memories are being in airplanes."
Brian Orr highlighted his father's combined love for faith, family and flying.
"My father was an incredible, faithful, loving man. He loved his family, church and work. He is survived by his wonderful wife and five children, seven brothers and sisters, his mother, and 18 grandchildren," Brian Orr said.
"He was the rock in the cornerstone of our family," he said. "He was there for us when we needed him to give advice. He served in his church callings faithfully and with all his heart. He will be sorely missed, and we appreciate our faith in knowing we will see him again."
- Source: http://www.deseretnews.com
Investigators look down on the remains of a helicopter that crashed onto an empty building Tuesday afternoon, killing two men on board, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014, in North Salt Lake. (Tom Smart, Deseret News)(KUTV) Two men are dead after the helicopter they were in crashed on the roof of a North Salt Lake building Tuesday afternoon.
Paramedics were able to pull one man out of the burning chopper barely alive, but he died within minutes. The other man's body was still trapped in the charred helicopter hours later.
North Salt Lake police identified the men Tuesday evening as Claus Hauer and Bruce Orr.
Crews evacuated nearby buildings as firefighters doused the flames, thickened by leaking jet fuel on the roof of Wimpole Street Creations, a craft store at 501 West 900 North.
Officers taped off nearly the entire block, strewn with debris. The tail rotor of the helicopter lay in a nearby parking lot. Employees of nearby businesses saw the helicopter just before 2 p.m., when it crashed.
"It was 100, 200 feet up in the air. I noticed a lot of smoke, and next thing I know a big explosion," said Vartkes Megerdichian. It "lost the back part of the helicopter, turned toward its right, blaze going everywhere, parts flying around."
James Sedgwick said he heard the explosion while inside his work and immediately knew it was an aircraft.
"I just heard a big, 'Thump, thump, thump, boom!" Sedgwick said. "I opened up the door, and everything was falling."
No one was else was hurt, according to North Salt Lake police.
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the cause of the crash with the assistance of multiple local agencies.
Police did not immediately identify the owner of the helicopter.
A building inspector was planning to go inside the building to assess any structural damage on Tuesday evening.
http://www.kutv.com
NORTH SALT LAKE — Two men were killed Tuesday when their helicopter crashed into a vacant two-story building.
The crash occurred just before 2 p.m. at 501 W. 900 North. The names of the men who died were not immediately released. North Salt Lake Police Chief Craig Black did not know Tuesday afternoon whether the helicopter was a commercial vehicle or was being used for training.
Sky Park Airport in Woods Cross is very close to the crash site and has a high number of daily helicopter flights.
The building that the helicopter crashed into was vacant, Black said. The Federal Aviation Administration was expected to arrive at the scene to investigate. A cause of the crash was not immediately known.
Several witnesses said they saw the tail rotor break off the helicopter.
"I hear this helicopter flying right over me and then I hear this engine thrust really loud and then something exploded and (a) piece of the rudder came out of the helicopter," said Vartkes Megerdichian. "It flipped sideways and another explosion happened and shot the helicopter forward.
"There were parts everywhere coming down."
Ben Tidswell, the pilot for KSL Chopper 5, was at Sky Park Airport when he heard a strange noise — "the sound of things coming to pieces big time" or "an in-flight breakup."
Moments later, Tidswell said his mechanic pounded on his door and told him he had just witnessed the helicopter fall apart in midair and crash.
"The entire tail rotor and assembly is sitting about 200 yards away from where the rest of the aircraft crashed down into the building. The aircraft itself was smoldering, seemingly on fire in the building, completely inside the building," he said.
Jordan Anderson was walking nearby when he also heard the chopper.
"I heard a loud, best way to describe it is a backfire, like an engine backfire," he said. "Right after I heard that loud bang. I just saw it tank right to the ground."
Bob Costagno was on the phone at a nearby business when he looked up and saw the crash.
"It made a sound like it was breaking apart, like backfiring, then the tail shaft broke right off," he said. "It just went straight down. It looked like the guy was trying to get out, but I didn't think he had a chance."
Debris from the crash was spread out over a 400- to 500-yard area, Tidswell said.
Costagno watched as rescue crews took one person out of the building.
"They brought someone out the front door and laid him on the ground and were doing CPR, and then covered him up," he said.
That man was pronounced dead at the scene. The second man died inside the helicopter. "(He) would have needed to be extricated to get out and that wasn't possible to do," said South Davis Metro Deputy Fire Chief Dave Powers.
A sign at the top of the building says "Wimpole Street Creations." There is a "For Lease" sign in front of the building. Costagno, who works nearby, said he believes the company recently moved out of that building.
There were unconfirmed reports that a mechanic had been working on the helicopter for the past several weeks.
Black said crews were working Tuesday afternoon on a plan to get the copter debris removed from the building.
"The helicopter right now is embedded into the top of that building," he said.
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NORTH SALT LAKE — Authorities are trying to determine why a small helicopter crashed into a building and caused the death of two people Tuesday.
North Salt Lake Police Chief Craig Black said emergency crews received reports that a helicopter crashed into a building at 501 W. 900 North at 1:54 p.m.
Black said two men who were in the helicopter died due to the crash. No one was inside the building at the time of the crash.
Orange cones, highlighting aircraft debris, dotted 900 South for several blocks. The odor of burning plastic could still be smelled late in the afternoon.
Black said he does not know if the helicopter was a training or commercial helicopter, but that it was a small helicopter.
South Davis Metro Fire Deputy Chief Dave Powers said crews were able to get one man’s body out of the helicopter. Medical personnel worked on the man for about 15 minutes before pronouncing him dead.
The other man in the helicopter was already dead when crews arrived, Powers said.
Black said they do not have the names of the two men or know who owns the helicopter at this time.
Powers said when crews arrived there were flames coming from the helicopter and the building. The helicopter sheared off pipes to the building’s sprinkler system. Firefighters also had to deal with jet fuel coming out of the helicopter.
Initially businesses surrounding the building were evacuated until emergency personnel determined it was safe for employees to return to work, Black said.
Black said officials believe the helicopter came from Skypark Airport, just north of where the crash occurred.
The Federal Aviation Administration has been notified and will also investigate the accident, Black said.
James Keeler, who lives a mile from where the crash happened, saw the helicopter fly over his house just moments before it crashed.
“It was flying way too low and way too slow,” Keeler said. “It made this weird grinding noise and then it headed northwest back toward the airport. I thought something was really wrong.”
Several witnesses said they saw the rear rotor come off the helicopter while it was in the air, Black said.
Some of those witnesses included students at Foxboro Elementary School, which is just a few blocks away, said Scott Christensen, a physical education teacher.
Christensen who was walking into the school heard one teacher tell the students to watch the helicopter. “when all of the sudden the propeller thing went off and it went down and boom,” he said.
Christensen said when he heard the “boom” he turned around and saw “a large cloud of smoke.”
Black said the investigation into the crash could last until Wednesday because debris from the crash is scattered at least a half mile northeast from the scene.
The rear rotor was several hundred yards from the crash in a parking lot. Police had several blocks roped off as they investigated. Agencies at the scene included police agencies from North Salt Lake, Bountiful, West Bountiful and Woods Cross, as well as Davis County Sheriff’s Office and South Davis Metro Fire Agency.
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