Pilot and photographer tragically killed in Action News Chopper 6 accident
Photo: Pilot and photographer tragically killed in Action News Chopper 6 accident (GettyImages)
The Action News team is mourning the loss of two crew members, a pilot and a photographer, who were killed in a helicopter crash on Tuesday night in New Jersey, according to Action News.
The tragic incident occurred around 8 p.m. when Chopper 6, a 2013 American Eurocopter AS-350A-STAR leased from U.S. Helicopters Inc., crashed in a wooded area of Washington Township, New Jersey after returning from an assignment at the Jersey Shore.
The crash site near Quaker Bridge Atsion Road and Middle Road was difficult to access due to its location. The crew members' identities, who had a long history with the station, have not been released as family members are still being notified.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been notified and will investigate the cause of the crash, which remains unclear.
This accident is reminiscent of a similar tragedy over a year ago, where two WBTV employees in Charlotte, North Carolina, died in a helicopter crash.
Tragic accident
Two WBTV employees, meteorologist Jason Myers, and pilot Chip Tayag, tragically died in a helicopter crash in Charlotte, North Carolina, on November 22, 2022.
The crash occurred near Interstate 77 and was reported around midnight. Emergency responders confirmed the deaths of both individuals at the scene. The pilot may have diverted the helicopter to avoid traffic, potentially preventing harm to others on the road.
The crash site remained closed to traffic for an extended period.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration investigated the incident. Condolences and support poured in from various organizations, and North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper expressed condolences for the tragedy.
Chopper crash
Chopper 6 has been an integral part of the Action News team since the first news helicopter was launched in Philadelphia in February 1980. It has been essential for news-gathering operations, providing aerial coverage of various events, traffic situations, and other news stories.
This incident has deeply impacted the team and the community, as the crew members were long-serving and valued station members.
The investigation by the FAA is ongoing to determine the factors that led to this tragic event.
Also, recently we wrote that a helicopter crashed on the M-40 ring road in Madrid.
