The helicopter that crashed into the East River last week, killing one and seriously injuring four others, was inspected just two days before the incident. According to a report released by the National Transportation Safety Board, the 1976 Bell Jet Ranger had its annual inspection on October 2. The AP adds, "During an annual inspection mechanics take much of an aircraft apart and put it together again. The work can take several weeks."
The NTSB has ruled out engine failure as the cause of the crash, and are now investigating possible weight and wind concerns, as well as the helicopter's reported vulnerability to rotor problems. According to DNAinfo, Pilot Paul Dudley, who has spent more than 1,500 hours flying helicopters, experienced a horizontal shift of the nose of the craft, which is called a "small left yaw." Dudley attemped to turn right and land back down on the helipad, but the craft instead fell approximately 50 feet, upside-down into the water.
Dudely, whose felony robbery charge 30 years ago has recently surfaced, was taking family friends out on a sightseeing trip for Sonia Marra's 40th birthday. While the others escaped and were assisted by rescuers, Marra became trapped in the cabin of the helicopter and couldn't be removed until a hour after the crash.
