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NY pilot who radioed warning: Plane like missile

Mon Aug 10, 2009 7:04 AM EDT
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Associated Press

The wreckage of a helicopter is lifted by crane from the Hudson River and placed on a boat as seen from Hoboken, N.J., Sunday, Aug. 9, 2009. Divers recovered a piece of a submerged helicopter and a fifth body Sunday as investigators searched the Hudson River for wreckage from the helicopter and a small plane that collided in midair, killing nine people. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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NEW YORK — The pilot who radioed a desperate, last-minute warning says a plane that struck a helicopter over the Hudson River "looked like a cruise missile hitting a target."

Ben Lane warned fellow helicopter pilot Jeremy Clarke on Saturday that the plane was bearing down on him.

Lane tells the Daily News that another pilot heard him scream "Watch out! Watch out!"

He doesn't remember screaming. But he does recall seeing a wing and chopper blades falling before both aircraft plummeted, killing nine.

He searched for survivors, but there were none.

Lane says a crash was inevitable along the busy corridor. He says helicopter pilots stay in constant radio contact. But many small plane pilots — he calls them "weekend warriors" — do not.

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Information from: Daily News, http://www.nydailynews.com

© 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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USA4Him

This is definitely a tragic accident. If only small plane pilots stayed in constant communication.

My sister and niece took their Italian exchange student on one of those helicopters in July!!

  • 2 votes
Reply#1 - Mon Aug 10, 2009 7:36 AM EDT
LostFlyer

Let us not throw stones, sometimes the small plane pilots are the same pilots that just landed the big plane and are going home. We all know the importance of being "up" on the correct frequency, and we have all made mistakes at one time or another. So if you think you are perfect, then go ahead and place the blame where you will. I prefer to look at this as a horrible tragedy and my thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives.

    #1.1 - Mon Aug 10, 2009 5:46 PM EDT
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