Pilot error to blame for helicopter crash
January 06, 2009 4:57 PM
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - The National Transportation Safety Boards says pilot error caused a helicopter crash in downtown Grand Rapids in May.
Federal investigators blame "the pilot's failure to maintain tail-rotor obstacle clearance from a tower during takeoff."
The report says the pilot flew backwards after lifting off, hitting a tower on the roof of Spectrum Butterworth Hospital with the tail-rotor.
The pilot and an FAA inspector were injured in the crash but have since recovered.
After the crash, officials removed the towers and expanded the helipad. They have not yet announced when it will reopen.
