Witness: AW139 Was Spinning before Bahamas Fatal Crash | Aviation International News

Witness: AW139 Was Spinning before Bahamas Fatal Crash

The NTSB has issued its preliminary report into the July 4 fatal AW139 crash in the Bahamas that killed seven.

By Mark Huber • Contributor

July 29, 2019

More details emerged last week into the July 4 AW139 helicopter accident that killed American coal billionaire Chris Cline and six others during a night flight in the Bahamas. According to the NTSB's preliminary report, an eyewitness saw a running light pattern that suggests the helicopter was spinning on its vertical axis just before it hit the water. According to the report, the witness saw the helicopter depart and climb to an altitude of 40 to 50 feet agl, “then shortly thereafter, he noted blue and white lights spinning to the left at a rate of about one to two seconds between rotations while descending." He estimated that the helicopter "rotated to the left three to four times” before hearing the sound of impact.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

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