NTSB says bump of fuel lever likely led to fatal Alaska helicopter crash; report faults design

Report faults copter design in fatal Alaska crash

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A federal report on a 2008 helicopter crash in Alaska that killed four people says the design of its floor-mounted fuel controls was likely a contributing factor.

A National Transportation Safety Board probable cause report released Wednesday says an unauthorized teenage passenger onboard the aircraft likely bumped a fuel control lever with his foot or backpack.

That would have caused engine overspeed and ultimately a loss of power.

The report also says inaction by the pilot and its operator, ERA Helicopters, contributed to the crash and the severity of injuries.

Three state telecommunications technicians and the pilot died in the crash east of Chickaloon.

The teenager, Quinn Ellington, was 15 at the time and survived.

Information from: KTUU-TV, www.ktuu.com