FAA Investigating SKYNEWS 6 Accident

The News On 6 helicopter, SKYNEWS 6, is damaged during an accident at Sand Springs' Pogue airport. Luckily, both of our colleagues onboard the aircraft walked away from the accident. The News On

Wednesday, June 20th 2007, 2:04 pm

By: News On 6

The News On 6 helicopter, SKYNEWS 6, is damaged during an accident at Sand Springs' Pogue airport. Luckily, both of our colleagues onboard the aircraft walked away from the accident. The News On 6â€™s Ashli Sims reports both men are now home recuperating.

Police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances scrambled to the scene of the accident at Sand Springs' Pogue Airport Wednesday afternoon. Our crew had been shooting video of SKYNEWS 6 when it went down, with two employees on board.

"Well the first thing I heard on the phone was 'Regina there's been an accident with the helicopter,' and my heart sank," said News On 6 General Manager Regina Moon. "And my first question was 'Is everybody alive?', and the answer was 'Yes'. From then on I knew we were going to be okay."

SKYNEWS 6 was flying low over our satellite truck and clipped the satellite dish. The helicopter went down about 100 yards away, breaking into several pieces.

"These are very lucky individuals even with some minor injuries to the pilot. Itâ€™s still a lucky day for both those occupants," Sand Springs Deputy Fire Chief Tom Jenkins said.

Pilot Joe Lester, who's affectionately known as Chopper Joe, did suffer a head wound, but he was treated and released from a Tulsa hospital. Photographer Dustin Stone was also on board, but he was not hurt.

Moon says her first priority is the staff.

"We will continue to do what we do best for the viewers in the area and that is to cover local news," she said.

The Federal Aviation Administration will investigate Wednesdayâ€™s accident.

Watch the video: No Serious Injuries After SKYNEWS 6 Accident