New video shows moments before fatal helicopter crash in Houston’s East End

HOUSTON – New surveillance video has emerged showing the moments before the deadly helicopter crash in Houston’s Second Ward that left four people, including a child, dead.

Footage provided by a neighbor shows two white flashing lights on the radio tower that the helicopter struck near 300 North Ennis St. Sunday evening.

Aviation attorney Justin Green is not involved in this case but spoke to KPRC 2 about the video. He said the surveillance was important evidence for NTSB.

“I see no attempts to avoid the tower, indicating that the pilot did not see the tower. “So unfortunately it looks like the flight path went straight into the tower,” Green said.

Days after the fatal crash, there were concerns about whether the tower was properly lit.

“The pilot will not rely on the lights being on because, first of all, NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) is down. The pilot must therefore expect that there will be no lights on in the tower. But in the video you saw, you see two flashing lights on the tower. Ultimately, the tower could play a role. But the primary factor is most likely pilot error or an operational issue because operations did not properly plan the routes the pilots were supposed to fly,” Green said.

Cleanup efforts continued Tuesday, with the NTSB, FAA and firefighters combing through the rubble of the radio tower and helicopter.

“Our members are using cutting torches and saws to cut the tower into manageable pieces so we can help them restore it,” said HFD District Manager Ron Bozarth.

KPRC 2 spoke with a witness named Chad, who was nearby when he saw the crash.

“We saw and heard the explosion. The helicopter went straight down the tower,” Chad said.

KPRC 2 asked Chad why he decided to run toward the burning crash.

“Because I’m a Texan and that’s what I do. That’s why I work in the emergency services. Something is going wrong. Run toward it,” Chad said.

According to FlightAware, the helicopter was traveling at a speed of 108 miles per hour at an altitude of 600 feet in the air when it crashed into the 1,000-foot radio tower.

Records show the helicopter flew from Ellington Airport. It was in the air for nine minutes before crashing. KPRC 2 learned the helicopter had made the same flight twice before the crash. Green said it could take several years for the NTSB to complete its investigation.

“The National Transportation Safety Board is conducting a very thorough investigation that will include an examination of the helicopter, maintenance history and pilots. I think this video will probably be a central part of the investigation,” Green said.

NTSB sent an updated statement Tuesday with the following information:

Today, NTSB investigators received the pilot’s records for review and began recovering the wreckage for further investigation. Tomorrow they will visit the air travel company to learn more about their operations. The next update will be the preliminary report within 30 days; You can access it by browsing our Investigations databasewith NTSB number CEN25FA019. It will also be published NTSB Newsroom Twitter .

What happened?

According to the Houston Fire Department, the accident occurred in the city’s East End at approximately 7:54 p.m.

According to Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz, the helicopter when it crashed had taken off from Ellington Field and was heading to an unknown destination.

HPD confirmed Monday morning that four people, including a child, were believed to be in the crashed helicopter.

“We don’t know the age range yet, but we’re pretty sure,” Diaz said.

Authorities believe people could find parts of the helicopter when the sun rises in the morning. They ask anyone who comes across these pieces not to touch them and to contact the police or fire department so they can pick up the pieces.

No one on the ground was injured as a result of the crash and collapse of the tower that was hit. Apart from the tower, no structures on the ground were damaged.

READ MORE: “Please notify an officer:” Houston police say the fatal helicopter crash site covers nearly 4 acres. Watch out for debris

FAA, NTSB, DPS, HPD and HFD are investigating the crash.