Unmarked power line probed in Calif. copter crash - Four Dept. of Fish and Game biologists killed

[Kadie]

Unmarked power line probed in Calif. copter crash
By GARANCE BURKE, Associated Press Writer

Wednesday, January 6, 2010


(01-06) 16:28 PST Fresno, Calif. (AP) --

Federal investigators scoured a fatal helicopter crash site in the Sierra Nevada mountains Wednesday, trying to determine whether it might have been caused by a lack of markings on a high-voltage power line spanning the river canyon.

Three state scientists and the pilot were killed Tuesday in the crash when the Bell 206 helicopter clipped a Southern California Edison transmission line, sparking a blaze that consumed the craft and sent debris flying.

The team had been conducting a deer survey in a craggy stretch of the mountain range where electric lines crisscross the canyons, sucking up hydropower generated by dams.

Federal Aviation Administration guidelines state that companies are responsible for placing lights and visible markers on power lines and towers that are higher than 200 feet above ground level, so that pilots can spot potential hazards, said spokesman Ian McGregor.

SoCal Edison spokesman Steve Conroy confirmed Wednesday that the transmission line was not marked. But the FAA had not asked the company to mark it, he said.

snip...

If investigators find that the utility company shirked its duty to mark the power line, it could be held partially legally responsible for the crash, experts said.


Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/01/06/national/a102759S98.DTL&tsp=1#ixzz0bsvmYmQI



From yesterday...
3 California Department of Fish and Game biologists die in helicopter crash
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7401306

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. That's terrible!