Report: Police helicopter crash in South Carolina due to missing bolt.
A Police Helicopter Crash Reveals Maintenance Oversight
A shocking report from federal officials has revealed that a police helicopter crash at a South Carolina airport could have been prevented. The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report states that the helicopter was missing a crucial bolt that should have been removed and reinstalled during maintenance six weeks prior to the incident.
Even more alarming, another bolt on the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office helicopter was found to be loose. The pilot, who miraculously survived the crash, informed investigators that he had experienced issues with the foot controls for the aircraft’s tail rotors. He described the sensation as if the pedals were not properly attached.
“It felt as if the pedals were not attached,” the pilot said.
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The tail rotor plays a crucial role in maintaining stability and steering the helicopter. Approximately 35 minutes into the ill-fated flight from Sumter to Charleston on August 1, the pilot reported that the helicopter was constantly pulling to the right.
In response, the pilot declared an emergency and attempted to land at Charleston International Airport. Disturbing surveillance footage captured the helicopter hovering about 20 feet (6 meters) above the ground, suddenly veering to the right, ascending, and then tragically crashing into the earth.
According to the report, the helicopter had undergone maintenance at an unnamed shop in Sumter twice within the past six weeks. On June 28, the missing bolt and the loose bolt, caused by a missing pin, were supposed to be removed and reinstalled.
Remarkably, the helicopter had flown for approximately 15 hours before the pilot returned it to Sumter for further maintenance on the day of the crash.
The pilot, Lieutenant Scott Martray of the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, has been a dedicated member of the agency since 2006 and serves as its chief pilot. Fortunately, he was released from the hospital just one day after the devastating crash.
By Jeffrey Collins
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