Helicopter Down in Southern Vermont

[Chris Santee]

Two people injured in a helicopter crash in southern Vermont. The chopper was working on/around/checking power lines.

[Chris Santee]

Incident: Helicopter Crash
Date/Time: 04/21/2010    11:15am
Town: Brookline, VT

On 04/21/2010 at approximately 11:15am the State Police were notified of a helicopter crash with injuries. Initial investigation showed that a helicopter was in the process of assisting with the placement of a power line when something went wrong and the helicopter dropped approximately 60 feet to the ground.   

The pilot and a worker on board the helicopter were the only ones injured, both were conscious and transported from the scene via the DART helicopter to Dartmouth Hospital in Lebanon, NH.  The severity of their injuries are unknown at this point.  The FAA has been contacted and investigators from out of state are enroute to investigate same.

The name of the companies involved and the identities of the injured will not be released until the FAA has completed their investigation later today and tonight.

I will complete an updated press release tomorrow morning with all the available information from the investigation.

[Chris Santee]

On 04/21/2010 the VT Agency of Transportation (Guy Rouelle) and the FAA began their investigation into the cause of this crash. The helicopter was removed from the scene and taken to a local airport where the investigation on the mechanics of the helicopter will take place. At this point no determination as to why the crash occurred has been made. 

The pilot of the helicopter is identified as: Robert Clymer
The worker on the helicopter is identified as: Michael Gailotti

The company that owns the helicopter is Air 2, out of Maryland.
Both Clymer and Gailiotti are reported as having non-life threatening injuries at Dartmouth Hitchcock Hospital.

The process of using said helicopter to assist in the installation of high power lines is an FAA approved practice.

Local responders from Fire and rescue did an excellent job in responding to the scene and removing the injured.

When a ruling on the cause of this crash is made in the next several days, an updated press release will be issued.