2007 Phoenix news helicopter collision
Encyclopedia
The 2007 Phoenix news helicopter collision occurred on July 27, 2007 at exactly 12:46:20 P.M. MST when two AS-350 AStar helicopters from KNXV-TV
(the area's ABC
affiliate) and KTVK
(an independent, but was the ABC affiliate until losing it to KNXV in 1995) news stations collided in mid-air
above Steele Indian School Park
in Phoenix
, Arizona
while covering a police pursuit
. Four people were killed: KTVK pilot Scott Bowerbank and photographer Jim Cox; and pilot Craig Smith and photographer Rick Krolak of KNXV. No one on the ground was injured.
, the KNXV helicopter was broadcasting live at the time of the collision, and this footage subsequently circulated on media-sharing websites such as YouTube
. As the helicopter's camera was pointed at the ground, viewers did not see the other aircraft. KNXV pilot-reporter Craig Smith and anchor Rebecca Thomas were describing events live when Smith was heard to utter "Oh, geez!" as the image broke up and violent crashing noises were heard. The station immediately cut away to the studio news anchor, although screaming can be heard in the background before the link is cut off. In footage from the KTVK helicopter, viewers heard the pilot talking about the scene and then the picture just went black. There was no indication of a problem at all. Three other news helicopters from other stations (KSAZ
, KPNX
and KPHO) were in the area and began reporting on the crash within seconds of it occurring. One photograph is known to exist, taken a moment after the collision and showing both helicopters plunging towards the ground. It was taken by a local Spanish-language newspaper, La Voz. The image was circulated by the AP and shown on major media such as CNN
.
KSAZ
"SkyFox10" reporter-pilot Don Hooper witnessed the mid-air collision. In unedited video footage, Hooper becomes very shaken and upset as he reports that "Channel 15 and Channel 3 just had a mid-air collision. They are in a park." The video also contains audio of Hooper calling the tower at nearby Sky Harbor airport
on his aircraft's FAA
radio reporting the collision. Hooper then talks on a discreet frequency to another news helicopter belonging to KPNX
saying he is OK, but two other helicopters just crashed. Hooper then says "I think it was Scott" referring to KTVK pilot Scott Bowerbank.
The cause of the mid-air collision
was investigated by both the Federal Aviation Administration
and National Transportation Safety Board
. The NTSB stated ...the probable cause of this accident was both pilots' failure to see and avoid the other helicopter. Contributing to this failure was the pilots' responsibility to perform reporting and visual tracking duties to support their station's ENG operation. Contributing to the accident was the lack of formal procedures for Phoenix-area ENG pilots to follow regarding the conduct of these operations.
Barbara Cochran, president of the Radio-Television News Directors Association, said she could not remember any previous incident involving two news helicopters colliding while covering a story.
The day of the accident, Phoenix Police Chief Jack Harris brought up the possibility that the suspect in the chase the two helicopters were watching could "be held responsible for any of the deaths from this tragedy."
Two years after the accident, the families of Scott Bowerbank and Jim Cox announced an undisclosed settlement was agreed with US Helicopters, the owners of the Channel 15 helicopter. Both legal teams released a video reconstructing details of the accident. The footage shows the Channel 3 helicopter being struck from behind by the Channel 15 helicopter.
On July 13, 2010 Christopher Jermaine Jones pleaded guilty to 35 crimes stemming from the July 2007 police chase. Jones was not charged in the deaths of the helicopter occupants.
KNXV-TV
KNXV-TV, is an ABC-affiliated television station in Phoenix, Arizona, broadcasting in digital on UHF channel 15. Owned by The E. W. Scripps Company, its transmitter is located on South Mountain in Phoenix....
(the area's ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
affiliate) and KTVK
KTVK
KTVK is a full-service, independent television station in Phoenix, Arizona. It broadcasts in digital on UHF channel 24 from a transmitter located on South Mountain in Phoenix, and can be seen across northern Arizona on a network of nearly two dozen translator stations...
(an independent, but was the ABC affiliate until losing it to KNXV in 1995) news stations collided in mid-air
Mid-air collision
A mid-air collision is an aviation accident in which two or more aircraft come into contact during flight. Owing to the relatively high velocities involved and any subsequent impact on the ground or sea, very severe damage or the total destruction of at least one of the aircraft involved usually...
above Steele Indian School Park
Steele Indian School Park
Steele Indian School Park is located on the northeast corner of Indian School Road and Central Avenue in Phoenix, Arizona.The park is on the site of the Phoenix Indian School, one of several boarding schools owned and operated by the U.S. government, designed in the late 19th century to socialize...
in Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
, Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
while covering a police pursuit
Car chase
A car chase is the vehicular pursuit of a suspect by law enforcement officers. Car chases are often captured on film and broadcast due to the availability of video footage recorded by police cars and police and media helicopters participating in the chase...
. Four people were killed: KTVK pilot Scott Bowerbank and photographer Jim Cox; and pilot Craig Smith and photographer Rick Krolak of KNXV. No one on the ground was injured.
Accident
As reported by the Associated PressAssociated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
, the KNXV helicopter was broadcasting live at the time of the collision, and this footage subsequently circulated on media-sharing websites such as YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
. As the helicopter's camera was pointed at the ground, viewers did not see the other aircraft. KNXV pilot-reporter Craig Smith and anchor Rebecca Thomas were describing events live when Smith was heard to utter "Oh, geez!" as the image broke up and violent crashing noises were heard. The station immediately cut away to the studio news anchor, although screaming can be heard in the background before the link is cut off. In footage from the KTVK helicopter, viewers heard the pilot talking about the scene and then the picture just went black. There was no indication of a problem at all. Three other news helicopters from other stations (KSAZ
KSAZ-TV
KSAZ-TV, virtual channel 10.1, is the Fox owned-and-operated station in Phoenix, Arizona. It is owned by Fox Television Stations in a duopoly with MyNetworkTV station KUTP ....
, KPNX
KPNX
KPNX is a full-service television station serving the Phoenix, Arizona television market as the NBC affiliate. Its studios and offices are located in Phoenix and its transmitter is on South Mountain in Phoenix but it is licensed to the suburb of Mesa. It is owned by the Gannett Company which also...
and KPHO) were in the area and began reporting on the crash within seconds of it occurring. One photograph is known to exist, taken a moment after the collision and showing both helicopters plunging towards the ground. It was taken by a local Spanish-language newspaper, La Voz. The image was circulated by the AP and shown on major media such as CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
.
KSAZ
KSAZ-TV
KSAZ-TV, virtual channel 10.1, is the Fox owned-and-operated station in Phoenix, Arizona. It is owned by Fox Television Stations in a duopoly with MyNetworkTV station KUTP ....
"SkyFox10" reporter-pilot Don Hooper witnessed the mid-air collision. In unedited video footage, Hooper becomes very shaken and upset as he reports that "Channel 15 and Channel 3 just had a mid-air collision. They are in a park." The video also contains audio of Hooper calling the tower at nearby Sky Harbor airport
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is a joint civil-military public airport located southeast of the central business district of the city of Phoenix, in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States...
on his aircraft's FAA
Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration is the national aviation authority of the United States. An agency of the United States Department of Transportation, it has authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S...
radio reporting the collision. Hooper then talks on a discreet frequency to another news helicopter belonging to KPNX
KPNX
KPNX is a full-service television station serving the Phoenix, Arizona television market as the NBC affiliate. Its studios and offices are located in Phoenix and its transmitter is on South Mountain in Phoenix but it is licensed to the suburb of Mesa. It is owned by the Gannett Company which also...
saying he is OK, but two other helicopters just crashed. Hooper then says "I think it was Scott" referring to KTVK pilot Scott Bowerbank.
The cause of the mid-air collision
Mid-air collision
A mid-air collision is an aviation accident in which two or more aircraft come into contact during flight. Owing to the relatively high velocities involved and any subsequent impact on the ground or sea, very severe damage or the total destruction of at least one of the aircraft involved usually...
was investigated by both the Federal Aviation Administration
Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration is the national aviation authority of the United States. An agency of the United States Department of Transportation, it has authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S...
and National Transportation Safety Board
National Transportation Safety Board
The National Transportation Safety Board is an independent U.S. government investigative agency responsible for civil transportation accident investigation. In this role, the NTSB investigates and reports on aviation accidents and incidents, certain types of highway crashes, ship and marine...
. The NTSB stated ...the probable cause of this accident was both pilots' failure to see and avoid the other helicopter. Contributing to this failure was the pilots' responsibility to perform reporting and visual tracking duties to support their station's ENG operation. Contributing to the accident was the lack of formal procedures for Phoenix-area ENG pilots to follow regarding the conduct of these operations.
Barbara Cochran, president of the Radio-Television News Directors Association, said she could not remember any previous incident involving two news helicopters colliding while covering a story.
The day of the accident, Phoenix Police Chief Jack Harris brought up the possibility that the suspect in the chase the two helicopters were watching could "be held responsible for any of the deaths from this tragedy."
Two years after the accident, the families of Scott Bowerbank and Jim Cox announced an undisclosed settlement was agreed with US Helicopters, the owners of the Channel 15 helicopter. Both legal teams released a video reconstructing details of the accident. The footage shows the Channel 3 helicopter being struck from behind by the Channel 15 helicopter.
On July 13, 2010 Christopher Jermaine Jones pleaded guilty to 35 crimes stemming from the July 2007 police chase. Jones was not charged in the deaths of the helicopter occupants.
Sharp Echo
Five local news helicopters were covering the pursuit. In order to prevent a collision and keep clear of the police helicopter, Phoenix area news pilots used a system called Sharp Echo which required all of them operate on one frequency to communicate changes in position or intentions.See also
- Jane DornackerJane DornackerJane Dornacker was an American rock musician, actress, and comedienne turned traffic reporter.In 1986, while working for WNBC 660 AM Radio in New York City , Dornacker was aboard during two unrelated crashes of the helicopters leased to WNBC...
, a reporter who died in a helicopter accident while on air. - List of news aircraft crashes