The Daily Breeze reports that a helicopter recently tipped over while attempting to lift off from the Torrance Municipal Airport, causing the pilot to suffer minor injuries.
According to the article, the helicopter, a Bell 47G built in 1956, tipped over onto its right side at approximately 2 p.m. At the time the article was written it was not known what caused the helicopter to tip over. However, the facility operations manager at the airport witnessed the helicopter crash and said it appears as though some sort of malfunction occurred while the pilot was trying to take off.
The article notes the pilot was able to stand before he was taken to the hospital for treatment of his injuries, which were reported to be minor. The man was alone in the helicopter at the time of the incident and no other injuries were reported. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate the California helicopter accident.
Near the end of 2010, new FAA helicopter operators and procedures rules were proposed to help decrease the frequency of helicopter crashes. In 2008 there were six helicopter accidents that resulted in 24 deaths, which is the deadliest year on record. The proposed changes would require operators to make use of the latest equipment and technology to avoid obstacles, as well as implement new, improved procedures for operating helicopters in inclement weather, at night, and during other conditions.
Helicopter accidents in California can occur due to a wide variety of reasons. In most cases, negligence or oversight is the cause of a crash. Bad weather, poor upkeep and maintenance, human error, and flying with a load of unsafe weight or size can also lead to a helicopter crash. The usability and safety of helicopter equipment can also deteriorate over time, and when a malfunction occurs, oftentimes an injury or accident results.
At Panish Shea & Boyle LLP, our helicopter crash lawyers have successfully litigated cases involving helicopter accidents, including obtaining a settlement of over $13.5 million for military personnel injured in Iraq when their helicopter crashed due to a defective gear box. We can help injured victims and family members of those killed in a helicopter accident receive the compensation they deserve from negligent parties. Call 1-877-800-1700 to learn how we can help you during this difficult time.
