An investigation by FOX 13 News into a Utah National Guard helicopter crash has revealed that the pilot, an F-35 pilot without the necessary qualifications, was at the controls during the incident.
The crash occurred on Feb. 12 during an orientation flight to demonstrate the helicopter’s capabilities to a U.S. Air Force Reserves colonel. Investigators found that the pilot’s lack of experience with helicopter flight controls contributed to the accident.
The chief warrant officer in the cockpit was also cited for overconfidence and inadequate flight control management.
The report noted that the officer’s “overconfidence … led to inadequate aircraft flight control management and inadequate altitude selection with an unqualified person on the helicopter’s flight controls.”
The Utah National Guard did not respond to requests for comment on the investigation.
The report also identified leadership failures within the Utah National Guard, including a lack of information dissemination. The National Guard Bureau has been recommended to reassess orientation flights in Apache units to prevent similar incidents in the future.
For more information, hit the Source below