Eye Witness Describes Moments Leading Up to Helicopter Crash
By: Marlisa Goldsmith
Updated: December 7, 2012
Just days after purchasing this 1976 model helicopter, the owner and another passenger experiences some sort of mechanical problem and crashes into a wheat field near the Abilene Regional Airport.
The land owner of the field just happened to be outside when the helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing.
Phillip Compton explains, "If you hear helicopters and planes fly by like I do, I lived out here all my life, so i know what they're supposed to sound like and this one was not normal."
Compton was in his backyard with his dog Friday afternoon when he noticed something out of the ordinary.
He says, "I looked up and this helicopter was going up and down, up and down and all of a sudden, I could tell they were in trouble."
Only about a quarter of a mile from Compton's home, the unimaginable was unfolding right before his eyes.
"All of a sudden, they made a little turn and then they hit hard, hit the ground very hard," Compton continues.
Compton says he was completely shaken up, but his first instinct was to immediately call 911.
He says, "One of the guys was kind of hanging over the front there and I thought he was the one hurt. He got out and kind of walked there in the wheat and laid down."
Fortunately, there were no injuries in this accident and the passengers were able to get the help they needed.
When I ask him if he is what you consider a hero, he says, "I don't know if I'd call myself a hero, I don't call 911 that often, but that's one of the few times I've done it."
He may not consider himself a hero, but I'm pretty sure those in the helicopter are glad he made the call.
The land owner of the field just happened to be outside when the helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing.
Phillip Compton explains, "If you hear helicopters and planes fly by like I do, I lived out here all my life, so i know what they're supposed to sound like and this one was not normal."
Compton was in his backyard with his dog Friday afternoon when he noticed something out of the ordinary.
He says, "I looked up and this helicopter was going up and down, up and down and all of a sudden, I could tell they were in trouble."
Only about a quarter of a mile from Compton's home, the unimaginable was unfolding right before his eyes.
"All of a sudden, they made a little turn and then they hit hard, hit the ground very hard," Compton continues.
Compton says he was completely shaken up, but his first instinct was to immediately call 911.
He says, "One of the guys was kind of hanging over the front there and I thought he was the one hurt. He got out and kind of walked there in the wheat and laid down."
Fortunately, there were no injuries in this accident and the passengers were able to get the help they needed.
When I ask him if he is what you consider a hero, he says, "I don't know if I'd call myself a hero, I don't call 911 that often, but that's one of the few times I've done it."
He may not consider himself a hero, but I'm pretty sure those in the helicopter are glad he made the call.
