PORT TOWNSEND — The Federal Aviation Administration has begun an investigation into whether a helicopter flew too low at the Race to Alaska starting line last Thursday.
In an email, FAA spokesman Ian Gregor said the event was reported Monday morning through the agency’s aviation safety hotline with the FAA’s Seattle Flight Standards District Office taking charge of the investigation.
“It is impossible to say how long an investigation will take,” Gregor wrote.
Altitude restrictions
“While helicopters are not subject to the same altitude restrictions as airplanes, they have to be operated so they don’t pose a hazard to people or property on the surface.
“There is no specific foot limit. However, a helicopter should be operated so that the pilot can safely set it down in case of a loss of engine power.”
The blue helicopter began circling the harbor at about 5:45 a.m., first staying well away from the boats and then dropping down to just above the water while several hundred observers watched the start of the race in Port Townsend.
Preliminary reports said the helicopter flew as low as 8 to 15 feet above the water.
Video
The FAA is currently examining a video of the incident that was posted on the Peninsula Daily News website at http://tinyurl.com/PDN-Helicopter, Gregor said.
Port Townsend Police Department spokesman Luke Bogues said the helicopter’s blades were below the masts of the ship on several occasions and the rotor wind blew paddleboarders off course.
Emergency dispatchers at JeffCom 911 received several calls Thursday at about 6 a.m., Bogues said.
Several witnesses submitted their photographs and videos of the incident to police, Bogues said.
Local probe
Immediately after the incident, Port Townsend Police Officer Bill Corrigan began conducting a local investigation.
Corrigan said the pilot was a 44-year-old man from Federal Way who was not immediately identified or charged.
The pilot told police he was hired by a television news crew to film the proceedings.
He said the news crew was encouraging him to fly lower, and he expressed remorse for his decision, according to police.
Corrigan reported the incident to the FAA on Thursday, according to a press release.
Police sources were not available for further comment Monday.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
