Comments on: Two News Helicopters Collide In Phoenix

By: domajot

domajot — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 01:24:46 +0000

This is another example of what the preocupation with car chases and other news of the momentary sensationalism causes.
The next tiime this happens, we could be hearing about the casualites on the ground, as well.
In the meantime, what news went unreported because a car chase overshadowed all else?

By: Entropy

Entropy — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 20:47:29 +0000

Tully,

Altitude assignment depends on if they were in controlled airspace or not. My guess is that they weren’t. In those situations, it’s incumbent on the pilots to maintain situational awareness and safety-of-flight. It looks to me like one or both were distracted or concentrating on something besides the airspace.

I predict there will be some FAA-mandated changes for helicopter flights in the future.

By: Tully

Tully — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 19:13:56 +0000

Even money says both ‘copters were at the minimum allowed altitude-over-terrain for urban areas. Both at the same altitude chasing the same suspect, with the pilots focusing on staying in place for the camera shots, instead of on the airspace around them, leads to collisions.

Look for any new regs to notice that airspace is three-dimensional, and require altitude assignment from ATC for news ‘copters.

By: Rudi

Rudi — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 15:40:24 +0000

This is the price for news sensationalism. Instead of spending money of investigative reporting, news is now voyeurism. What is the purpose of filming local car chases on a national forum. These car chases are just as bad as Weekly World News, but one knew it was spoof.