CALEDONIA, Mich. — The National Transportation Safety Board has released a report following a helicopter crash in Caledonia. The helicopter crashed into some trees in the 6900 block of 76th Street SE at about 11:45 a.m. May 29.
The Kent County Sheriff’s Department says that the pilot, Ken Wilson, 55, of Dolan Springs, Ariz., and a passenger, Raymond Osan III, 27, of Stockbridge, Mich., were able to get themselves out of the helicopter and hang onto the top of a tree.
The NTSB report says the pair were inspecting power lines when the pilot lost control when he went to turn the helicopter and encountered a gust of wind. “The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation,” said the report.
Both the pilot and passenger were not hurt.
