WESTLAND HELICOPTERS GAZELLE AH-MK1, EAST HAMPTON, N.Y., NOV. 8, 2002–The 1974 Gazelle (N911XW), a former British Army helicopter registered in the Experimental category, was destroyed at about 11:25 p.m. EST when it crashed into the Atlantic Ocean near East Hampton, N.Y. The pilot, William Smithers, 35, of Sag Harbor, N.Y., was lost at sea and is presumed dead. Smithers, CEO of Tradeware Corp., was traveling alone when his helicopter went down near Sag Harbor.
The helicopter departed Long Island-MacArthur Airport (ISP) in Islip, N.Y., at approximately 11 p.m. on a VFR flight to East Hampton Airport (HTO), N.Y. Night VMC prevailed, and Smithers did not file a flight plan. According to a report filed by the East Hampton Police Department, the pilot’s wife expected him home in Sag Harbor that evening but she was not immediately concerned when he didn’t arrive because Smithers’ schedule frequently changed at the last minute. He was not considered missing until the next morning when his car was discovered at ISP and debris from the helicopter was found on the beaches of East Hampton.
More In Accidents
