A Charleston County Sheriff’s Office helicopter that crashed Aug. 1 near Charleston International Airport was missing a bolt that secured the lever assemblies in the tail rotor system, according to a preliminary report by The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). A second bolt was in place, but loose, the report said.
According to news reports, records show the pilot, Lt. Scott Martray, reported a problem with one of the helicopter’s pedals about 35 minutes into the flight. Before the crash, the helicopter began to yaw to the right, and Martray received no response from the aircraft despite pushing on the left pedal. Martray sustained minor injuries from the crash.
“It felt as if the pedals were not attached,” he said, according to the report.
Martray declared an emergency and set up for a straight-in approach at the airport. While crossing the runway threshold about 20 feet above the ground, the helicopter yawed to the right again, the report said. The helicopter then struck the ground, and the tail severed from the rest of the craft.
The Federal Aviation Administration reportedly confirmed substantial damage to the fuselage, main rotor system and tail rotor system after responding to the accident site. Maintenance records revealed the two bolts on the helicopter would have been removed and reinstalled during a pair of recent maintenance routines on June 28 and about 15 flight hours prior to the accident. The investigation continues.
In the City Paper:
CP MUSIC: Charleston’s Red’s Ice House 20th birthday bash spotlights S.C.’s McCain. Edwin McCain, who penned the top 40 hit “I’ll Be,” will perform Aug. 27 at Red’s Ice House’s 20th anniversary party in Mount Pleasant.
In other recent headlines:
COVID: What to know about the new dominant Covid-19 variant. Concern is rising about the Covid-19 variant EG.5. This week, it became the dominant variant in the United States, and the World Health Organization classified EG.5 as a “variant of interest,” meaning it has genetic changes that give it an advantage. Numbers are on the rise in South Carolina, but numbers are remaining low as the new variant continues to emerge.
2024: Democratic presidential candidate Kennedy Jr. to host town hall in Charleston. Democratic candidate for president, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will kick off his multi-day campaign swing through South Carolina with a town hall event in Charleston Wednesday evening.
Charleston City Council delays decisions on hot-button issues. Charleston City Council met Tuesday night for over four hours to discuss several hot button topics in the city but delayed decisions on two crucial matters.
North Charleston chemical maker strikes deal with Texas utility. North Charleston-based chemical maker Ingevity Corp. has struck a deal to offset the electricity it uses at its U.S. manufacturing sites by buying solar power from one of the nation’s largest utilities.
Charleston County schools to equip every nurse with Narcan. The Charleston County School District leaders say they want to be prepared in the case an opioid overdose were to happen in their schools.
Sullivan’s Island residents weigh in on controversial redevelopment plans. Sullivan’s Island Town Council met Tuesday to get the public’s input on the possible redevelopment of the Sand Dunes Club.
Dorchester County, North Charleston break ground on senior center. The City of North Charleston and Dorchester County have taken the first steps in a land partnership to build a new senior center.
- To get dozens of South Carolina news stories every business day, contact the folks at SC Clips.
Help keep the City Paper free.
No paywalls.
No subscription cost.
Free delivery at 800 locations.
Help support independent journalism by donating today.
