Posted by chicagomedia.org on October 19, 2008 at 07:37:42:
In Reply to: Helicopter crash: Radio tower lights at issue posted by chicagomedia.org on October 17, 2008 at 09:42:36:
Radio tower stabilized
People living near the site of a medical helicopter crash that killed four people in Aurora were allowed to return to their homes Friday night after a crew dismantled part of the radio tower damaged by the collision.
Authorities continued to investigate the Wednesday night crash that killed 13-month-old Kirstin Blockinger of Leland; veteran pilot Delbert Waugh, 69; paramedic Ronald Battiato, 41; and nurse William Mann, 31. The crew was taking Kristin from a Sandwich hospital to Children's Memorial Hospital for treatment of seizures.
The helicopter, owned by Air Angels Inc. of Bolingbrook, hit a guy wire attached to the 712-foot radio tower for WBIG-AM, ripping off the chopper's rotor shaft and causing it to crash near Waterstone Drive and Eola Road in Aurora, authorities said.
The aircraft was about 50 feet lower than the top of the tower just before the crash, said John Brannen, the lead National Transportation Safety Board investigator in the accident. Radar evidence and an examination of the helicopter's wreckage gave no indication that the aircraft had mechanical problems, Brannen said Friday.
The FAA and WBIG-AM officials said Friday that warning lights on the tower appear to have been functioning before the crash.
Friday morning, four small, white crosses bearing the victims' names stood in the grass across the street from the crash site.
Dave Waszak, 47, a member of Suydam United Methodist Church in Leland, which the Blockinger family attends, knelt in front of the crosses and said a short prayer.
On Thursday, Aurora authorities asked anyone living within 1,000 feet of the tower to evacuate until it could be stabilized. A crew using a helicopter removed four 20-foot pieces from the tower before twilight ended the work Friday afternoon, and police told residents they could return, at least overnight.
Those living between Amli Court and Amli Lane, in the northern part of the apartment complex, are asked to vacate their homes again between 8 a.m. and noon Saturday while the work is completed.
(Gerry Smith, Chicago Tribune)