Aircraft business had excellent safety file just before lethal Black Hawk crash in Leesburg

LEESBURG, Fla. – A federal contractor regarded for its firefighting plane expert services that owned the Black Hawk helicopter in a fatal crash Tuesday experienced no prior documented incidents, federal data clearly show.

The Black Hawk helicopter crashed all through a education exercise Tuesday night in close proximity to the Leesburg airport. Leesburg metropolis officials stated all 4 crew users died and their bodies have been recovered in the wreckage. Federal authorities have not introduced their names nonetheless.

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According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the aircraft was conducting a h2o drop exercising and misplaced handle of the bucket leading to the rotor part to independent. The chopper went down in a wooded region near the airport and caught fireplace.

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The FAA and the Countrywide Transportation Safety Bureau are investigating the crash.

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The plane in the crash is registered to Brainerd Helicopters Inc./Firehawk Helicopters. Leesburg law enforcement claimed the firm is contracted out by regional governments, and the federal authorities, throughout the region.

Firehawk Helicopters, also known as Brainerd Helicopters, is a spouse and children-operate company that has been in procedure since 1973. The corporation is based out of the Leesburg airport and has functions in Idaho.

Until finally Tuesday’s lethal crash, FAA and NTSB knowledge indicates the firm experienced an fantastic security history, with no noted incidents.

In a latest job interview with a helicopter trade organization, the company’s vice president stated Firehawk has a fleet of 12 aircraft, which include nine Black Hawk S70 UH-60 helicopters.

“Firefighting has developed into our main small business. We’ve been doing it given that 1987,” Bart Brainerd informed Helicopter Association Intercontinental. “We also do prescribed burning, investigation and advancement exam flying, aerial construction, film and Tv set production, as most modest helicopter businesses. No matter what pays the payments.”

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Brainerd Helicopters has been awarded extra than $180 million in contracts with the federal govt for firefighting and other solutions because 2007, information clearly show.

The organization also conducts firefighting operations in Australia, mentioned Brainerd.