Nicholas Vella, 44, a veteran in the Huntington Beach Police Department, was killed in a tragic helicopter accident after the chopper crashed into Newport Harbor.
According to a report in the Los Angeles Times, the helicopter accident occurred on the night of Feb.19. A second police officer was released from the hospital the morning after the crash. Officials said that the investigators have ascertained which officer was the pilot but haven’t released that information. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is the lead agency and is now investigating the cause and circumstances of the accident.
Ongoing Investigation into Newport Beach Helicopter Crash
An NTSB spokesperson said the pilot made a brief call to report the helicopter was having mechanical issues before calling again to say they were going to crash. He said the helicopter pretty much made a nose-down descent into the water. The investigation could take 12 to 18 months. One witness described the craft as clearly in distress and at least partly out of control before crashing into the water about 10 to 20 feet offshore.
The helicopter crash occurred after the chopper was summoned from Huntington Beach on a disturbance fight call from Newport Beach, which contracts for aerial assistance as needed with the neighboring city. Both officers were transported to trauma centers. While Vella succumbed to his injuries, the other officer was released the following morning.
We offer our deepest condolences to the family members and colleagues of Nicholas Vella for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. We also wish the injured officer the very best for a quick and full recovery. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Helicopter Accidents
In this particular case, it will be important to look into whether a defective part caused the helicopter to go out of control and crash or whether a malfunction occurred. Based on this news report, it seems clear that some type of malfunction caused the helicopter to go down. NTSB investigations can usually take several months to be completed.
While helicopter accidents are not frequent, it is important to remember that helicopters are far more vulnerable than airplanes. They fly lower to the ground, at about 12,000 feet, making them more likely to encounter buildings, hills, or other obstructions, particularly in foggy conditions or poor visibility.
Helicopters also have a lot more moving parts compared to airplanes. They have the main rotor, a tail rotor, a gearbox, and a drive shaft running the entire length of the aircraft. Therefore, a lot more things could potentially malfunction. If one of those parts fails, the chopper could spin out of control. It is also important to look into whether a defective part caused the crash in such cases.
As Newport Beach personal injury attorneys, we will closely follow this investigation and hope victims and their families have the emotional support they need to get through this challenging and turbulent time.
Source: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-02-19/police-helicopter-crashes-in-newport-beach-area
