Latest on the KNBC helicopter crash investigation
LOS ANGELES (NBC, KYMA) - New security camera video showing the decent of the news chopper that crashed in Los Angeles Tuesday could provide valuable information to the NTSB team investigating the crash.
The crash claimed the lives of three people, including two beloved members of the NBC affiliate KNBC team on board.
Surveillance video from a nearby building captured NewsChopper4 crashing in Chatsworth, California.
Although objects and trees partially block the view, smoke does not appear until about 20 seconds after impact.
It quickly builds into a thick, dark plume.
About 50 seconds after impact, the first flames are visible from this angle.
NBC News aviation analyst and former NTSB investigator Jeff Gazetti said the video will be helpful to investigators.
"I see a very high rate of descent, and that's going to helpful for investigators to determine if there was adequate altitude and airspeed to affect an emergency autorotation, to get the helicopter cushioned safely onto the ground," Gazetti shared.
Gazetti said whether the engine failed will likely be a key focus of the NTSB's investigation.
"I think engine failure is certainly going to be front and center in the NTSB's investigation. But then you have to answer the question…why did the engine fail?" Gazetti explained. "Was it starved of fuel? Was there some sort of mechanical malfunction?"
Gazetti also shared what investigators may be able to learn from the smoke and flames.
"It seemed to have hit the ground and there wasn't any smoke or fire for several seconds and sometimes that's typical. The fuel will begin to spill out and leak out and then catch fire," Gazetti said.
Gazetti said because of the significant fire, it's likely NewsChopper4 had enough fuel.
"It seemed to have hit the ground and there wasn't any smoke or fire for several seconds and sometimes that's typical. The fuel will begin to spill out and leak out and then catch fire," Gazetti spoke.
The full investigation will take months, and Gazetti said evidence gathered at the scene and the videos will help the NTSB determine what went wrong.
"I think the video on board the helicopter when the problem occurred as well as this video that has just surfaced, and additional videos from different perspectives, will be extremely helpful to the NTSB and the accident investigation," Gazetti said.
The NTSB has removed some of the helicopter's wreckage from the scene, and they are continuing to ask any witnesses, or anyone with video of the crash, to get in touch with their team.
