Fishing Forum

Chopper Crashes Into Utah Lake
Dec. 15, 2004
Sandra Yi Reporting
It was a close call for a student pilot and his instructor when their helicopter crashed in Utah Lake. Amazingly, the two men inside walked away with only minor injures.
A morning flying lesson took a dangerous turn on Utah Lake.
Sgt. Tom Hodges, Utah County Sheriff's Office: "They're a little bit shaken, but in good spirits otherwise. Obviously they had a very traumatic experience this morning."
21-year old Cayce Batterson and his instructor 37-year old Paul Attridge were practicing take-offs and landings on Sandy Beach. They were in an R-22 helicopter. The men reportedly ran into trouble on the last take-off. The instructor tried to regain control.
Sgt. Tom Hodges: "He reports he lost lift in the blades, and that caused them to go down. He pulled up and one of the skids actually touched the water, which flipped them forward. They did a complete somersault forward and then crashed."
The chopper crashed in four feet of water. The two were able to walk to shore and get help from a fisherman. Authorities say luck was on their side.
Sgt. Tom Hodges: "I don't know their air speed at the time of the crash, but anytime you crash a helicopter, especially into a lake, I think you should consider yourself lucky to walk away from that anytime."
The chopper belongs to Universal Helicopters, a training and flight school based in Provo. The chopper will likely stay in the water overnight as authorities are waiting for the FAA and the NTSB to look at the crash site.




now wont this hurt the fish if the keep it there for to long? "gas-oil and stuff like that"
[signature]

Some much need structure in the big bathtub[]

John
[signature]

Helped to saftey by a fisherman! [cool]
[signature]

that would freek me out seeing that happen right in front of me.. but on the other side.... maybe it would push the fish my way... hehehe
[signature]

Some guys will do anything to get the prime walleye fishing spots down there.[]
[signature]

HEY DO THEY MAKE A KEVLAR TUBE? hum,kevlar fishing vests? kevlar waders? if stuff like that keeps up might need them. lol
[signature]

[cool]Wow, that's pretty wild, man! I was wondering why every single time I fish at Utah Lake there is always several helicopters going overhead. I just thought it was the cops trying to find my stash (jk)! Those guys are lucky the lake is so shallow right now, or it might have been a lot worse (especially if one of those wind storms that lake is famous for was happening).

I might want to look into one of those tube shacks also, TubeDude!
[signature]

[laugh][laugh][laugh] I be damned if the dragon flies arent a little bigger this year. I wonder how well they'd work as bait?

Damn! now I wish I'd saved a few roll cages!

Seriously tho'.. Happy the boys walked away from it... That could have made for a holiday season for their family and friends..
[signature]

Happy to hear everyone was ok but now theres structure in utah lake!
[signature]