Thursday, October 30, 2008

Local pilot comments on NTSB report

By Sophia Spencer

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TPD chopper accident analyzed by pilot

So far, the investigation and findings are inconclusive as to what exactly happened.

Washburn surveillance video shows a rough landing of the Topeka Police helicopter in April. A report from the NTSB suggests the problem may have been with the magneto.

Roger Dodds works in master control at KTKA, but has a long background as a pilot.

"In layman's terms, it would be the equivalent of the distributor on the car," Dodds said.

The report said the pilot said the needle gauges were jumping up and down.

We showed Roger the report to see if he felt the pilot was at fault.

"I think he did everything exactly by the book...found an open spot, tried to put it on the ground, pretty much successful except for got bit by the light pole," Dodds said.

Topeka Police say they are forwarding the report to a company that's conducting an evaluation of the accident.

The NTSB will issue one more report. The Police Department says they should have an answer from their experts by the beginning of January.

Related stories: NTSB releases hard landing report

Police helicopter makes hard landing near Washburn University (April 5, 2008)

Surveillance camera records helicopter crash (April 22, 2008)

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