Incident Overview
During the dismantling of a water tower, an iron worker was seriously injured and pinned while removing a portion of a water tower leg approximately 92 feet above ground level. A helicopter pilot responded to the emergency. The aircraft was equipped with a makeshift sling line intended to retrieve the injured worker.
Rescue Operation
The iron worker later died, but the helicopter pilot volunteered to continue with the mission. The pilot was not familiar with this type of operation. A paramedic was on board to assist, but the paramedic was not familiar with helicopter operations.
Lighting and Communications
Several quartz halogen lights were used to illuminate the four water tower legs. At the pilot's request, all but one light were turned off to prevent blinding the pilot as he hovered over the structure at night. There was no direct radio communication between the pilot and ground personnel; however, the paramedic was in contact with ground personnel.
Collision and Crash
While hovering, the helicopter moved slowly backward toward a leg of the structure. Ground personnel tried to warn the pilot, but the helicopter struck a water tower leg, then crashed and burned.