Air Evac Helicopter Down

[KU4WW]

Apparently an Air Evac Helicopter went down in Colbert County early this morning. I got a call from my friend Billy, KA5GNM. He said that the Air Evac copter was attempting a landing at an emergency scene and may have hit high tention power lines. The copter apparently exploded on impact with the ground. I don't know which one it was (AE16 is located near Muscle Shoals, AL. AE58 is located in Corinth, MS. These are the closest). Frequencies in use at the scene now are:

151.085 Cherokee VFD
155.220 Colbert Fire Network
159.315 Alabama Forestry - although they have changed to F1
159.420 Alabama Forestry (Air to Ground) may be F1, as I'm hearing activity there now.
155.010 Alabama Statewide Net

My mom woke to a noise around 3 AM this morning. She said it sound like something fell in the house. She told me this before we were aware of the emergency. The crash was apparently around 3:15 AM. I'm about 11 miles from the crash scene.

I'll post more if I hear.

Jeff/KU4WW

 

[KU4WW]

The location of the crash is apparently near the old Forest Tower Rd off of Mt. Mills Rd. in Central Colbert County. I had a digipeater there at one time. It's close to 34°41.83'N and 087°54.00'W. This is sad information to hear.

Jeff/KU4WW

 

[eddiemax]

http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2007/12/three_killed_in_helicopter_cra.html

 

[eddiemax]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071230/ap_on_re_us/helicopter_crash

 

[RadioJonD]

Times Daily - Shoals Area - http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20071230/BREAKING/828027386

WHNT-TV - http://www.whnt.com/ Follow links on front page.

NTSB Officials are on scene and trying to get into the wreckage by cutting a path. Cherokee VFD is also on the scene and is laying lines, 200 feet of inch and a half.

 

[KU4WW]

After talking to some friends at church, apparently no power lines were involved. One of the church members is a TVA policeman. He had not heard anything pertaining to TVA power lines which cross that area.

Jeff/KU4WW

 

[W9NES]

Thanks for the tip.I did some searching and found the story on a ABC affilate station out of Birmingham,AL. Go to this link www.abc3340.com which is WJSU and look under the top storyon the right side of the screen.The helicopter crash story is located under a story tilted Bringham Police InvestigateShooting During Robbery.The helicopter crash has killed 3 people.A pilot, nurse, and another unnamed person...

 

[N4TYK]

Jeff,

Thats about close to where I work.



Kevin

 

[aa4vr]

Hello to all,
There is a good bit of activity in reference to the helicopter crash on 123.025. There are other helicopter crews taking pictures, etc. One of the aircraft is another Air Evac copter, one is Alabama State police copter, another unidentified. One is identified as Bluegrass 37.
AA4VR

 

[KU4WW]

Hello to all,
There is a good bit of activity in reference to the helicopter crash on 123.025. There are other helicopter crews taking pictures, etc. One of the aircraft is another Air Evac copter, one is Alabama State police copter, another unidentified. One is identified as Bluegrass 37.
AA4VR

Thanks Rick. I forgot about the Helicopter frequency. Looks like everyone's called it a night except for Colbert County SO. I guess they'll be there for Security all night.

I rode up there late this afternoon. Air Evac 297AC had just left the seen enroute back to Air Evac 16's base. I met what looked like the NTSB vehicle coming down the mountain. Chuck, KF4LNS and Michael David, K1MDS had to be exausted and probably upset. I think they were working it at the time of the crash. I feel sorry for the person that was lost in the woods. That will be on them for a long time to come.

Jeff/KU4WW

 

[bee]

Sad that, that happened. I am employed by Tiffin in Red bay, and as a back up Security Guard at Sunshine Homes and World Pet. I had to work Security Saturday and Sunday Morning, and as was driving to the Security job(had to go in early 4:30) I heard about the accident. Have there been any names being released yet?
You may have made a typo, for the Colbert County Fire. I believe it is 154.220 instead of 155.220. Anyway a sad situation!

 

[KU4WW]

Tnx bee, your correct it is 154.220. Duhhh, getting older.

http://timesdaily.com/

This is our local paper. They had a big article on it today. Sad, sad news.

We have our monthly ham club meetings on the second Thursday of each month at the Tishomingo County Courthouse in Iuka. It's at 7PM and your welcome to come and see what we're about. We might get you interested in getting that ham ticket. There are a few hams in the Belmont area. I believe you told me you live there. We're on 146.850 daily. Happy New Year!

Jeff/KU4WW