http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/07/04/BA3N11K66A.DTL&tsp=1
Two men die in Alameda County helicopter crash
Henry K. Lee, Chronicle Staff Writer
Friday, July 4, 2008
(07-04) 06:39 PDT FREMONT -- Two men died in an overnight helicopter crash in Alameda County that sparked a 10-acre grass fire, authorities said.
The helicopter, a two-seater Schweizer 269C, crashed into power lines near Sheridan Road and Interstate 680 between Fremont and Sunol at about 12:30 a.m., authorities said.
The helicopter caught on fire after the crash, causing a fire that burned about 10 acres of grass and vegetation near the shoulder of the freeway.
Two men in the helicopter were pronounced dead at the scene. They will have to be identified through dental records, according to the Alameda County coroner's office.
The cause of the crash will be investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board. It was not immediately known whether the pilot failed to see the power lines or if weather was a factor. There was low visibility at the time, authorities said.
The helicopter was built in 1995 and was owned by Quadrus Inc. In 1998, a one-inch crack was found in part of the helicopter's assembly, according to an online safety database maintained by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Deputy Chief Larry Anderson of the Fremont Fire Department was driving southbound on the freeway when he saw the helicopter flying "very low and very slow" overhead.
Anderson said he was concerned that the helicopter was having mechanical problems and prepared to block the freeway in the event it had to make an emergency landing.
But as the helicopter passed over him, the engine sounds seemed to be normal, Anderson said.
The helicopter continued up toward the Sunol Grade but then hit 60,000-volt power transmission lines, which "instantly created a blinding flash," Anderson said.
About 20 years ago, a NASA helicopter hit power lines in the same area and crashed, Anderson said.
