The pilot of the helicopter that crashed in Houston last month, resulting in the deaths of all four individuals on board, had been in communication with air traffic control just moments before the accident, according to a new report.
The investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed that Pilot Samantha Grandbouche had contacted air traffic control shortly after taking off for a sightseeing tour when she was instructed to maintain visual separation from another helicopter in the area.
Just minutes into the flight, Grandbouche was reading the instructions provided by the controller when the radio transmission suddenly ended. "No further communications from the accident helicopter were received," the report stated.
It transpired that the helicopter collided with a 1,003-foot radio tower, striking it about 100 feet from its top.
What caused the helicopter crash in Houston, Texas?
The impact resulted in a catastrophic explosion as both the helicopter and the tower fell to the ground.
Eyewitness accounts described a scene of destruction, with portions of the helicopter, including the fuselage, becoming embedded in the tower itself.
Emergency personnel were on-site in large numbers shortly after the crash, and local media reported significant activity from first responders.
Among the victims were the pilot and her three passengers: Marie Alonso, her former husband Julio "Cesar" Lerma, and their elementary-school-aged son, Dylon Lerma.
Family members and friends expressed their grief over the loss, describing them as loving and devoted individuals.
What did surveillance video show?
Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators showed that two of the tower's three light beacons were flashing at the time of the crash, while the third beacon was not visible.
The owner of the tower, SBA Communications, reported that there were no outages affecting the tower's operations at the time of the incident.
SBA Communications has stated that it is fully cooperating with the investigation and that a Notice to Air Missions had been filed prior to the crash to alert pilots of potential flight hazards.
The notice was reportedly issued on Oct. 16, after the company acquired the tower in September.
Further Investigation
However, SBA Communications has declined further comment, citing the ongoing investigation.
The NTSB report at this stage does not provide a probable cause for the crash; such findings are expected to be detailed in a final report anticipated to be released within 18 to 24 months.
The investigation will continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident, including air traffic control communications and the operational status of the radio tower at the time of the accident.
This article contains additional reporting from The Associated Press.
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