Latest news with #Bell407
New York Post
5 days ago
- New York Post
Ousted NYPD Aviation head was 'incompetent boob,' a police source said
The head of the NYPD's Aviation Unit was booted from the elite squad this week after trying to block the feds from probing his dangerous mishaps, The Post has learned. Aviation's Commanding Officer Winston Faison was an 'incompetent boob' who had numerous breaches in safety as he attempted to make himself the unit's head helicopter instructor, whistleblowers revealed. When FAA inspectors made a surprise visit to the base on July 16 because of internal complaints to the agency, Faison flipped his lid, police sources said. Advertisement 9 The NYPD's Aviation Unit's former Commanding Officer Winston Faison is being investigated internally, police sources said. Winston Faison/ Facebook 'Do not give them anything!'' he barked at his cops, an insider said. 'Who let them on the base?' Members have complained to the FAA and to NYPD Internal Affairs Bureau about Faison, 52, who took over in 2023 after stints at Youth Strategies, Community Affairs and two Brooklyn precincts. Complaints included: Advertisement Nearly crashed at the Brooklyn home base while flying the unit's pricey Bell 407 training helicopter with a student next to him during a hard landing in the last week in June. 'He and the student hit the ground hard,' the first source said. Neither was hurt. while flying the unit's pricey Bell 407 training helicopter with a student next to him during a hard landing in the last week in June. 'He and the student hit the ground hard,' the first source said. Neither was hurt. Took the same helicopter for a solo jaunt up the Hudson River on April 25, flying in the wrong seat against manufacturer's rules. 'There are emergency procedures that can only be performed sitting in the right (hand) seat,' said a second police source. The helicopter's tail rotor leaked oil and Faison didn't catch it because he doesn't do pre-flight checks as required by the FAA, the sources said. 'When he landed the tail of the aircraft was covered in oil,' the second source said. Hired new employees without the oversight of the NYPD, the sources said. 'He's working around department rules to get his people in,' a third source said. Oversped his rotor and 'could have torched a half-million engine we just got,' the first source said. 'Drooped'(cq) the rotor system down to dangerously low speeds, nearly crashing, the sources said. Caused structural damage to a $40,000 tail rotor while practicing a 'quick stop' maneuver over rocks on July 4. 'If that goes, you're going to spin around like a top,' the first source said. 9 He caused was damage to the unit's training helicopter during a hovering maneuver, police sources said. Obtained by the New York Post 9 The damage was structural and the $40,000 tail rotor had to be replaced, the sources said. Obtained by the New York Post Luckily, the tail rotor damage occurred during the final flight on the July 4 holiday, so Faison couldn't fly again, the sources said. Advertisement 'He didn't understand why he couldn't keep flying,' the first source said. The incident wasn't immediately reported to the National Transportation Safety Board as required, the third source said. 9 Faison used up the training helicopter's hours to get his instructor's license, the sources said. Instagram/ independentheli The unit bought two new blades for a total $80,000 to be safe, the sources said. Advertisement The Bell 407, which is used for teaching new pilots, was purchased in 1996 and is worth about $1.5 million. The unit also has four Bell 429's for patrolling, two Bell 412's for air sea rescues and a spy plane that can detect radioactivity. During the FAA visit, the feds left word that they would be back to talk to Faison, but he told his cops to keep them out, the sources said. 9 Faison went to an $80,000 weeklong class in Texas for training in the Bell 412 for air sea rescues, the sources said. Winston Faison/ Facebook 'He's telling them you're not to let the FAA through the guard booth,' the second source said. Faison also threatened to lock up the records, the insiders said. ''We're not locking up these records,'' the mechanics said, according to the second source. 9 Faison became an NYPD officer in 2000 and joined Aviation in 2023, records show. Winston Faison/ Facebook 'His biggest fear is for him to be exposed as the incompetent boob that he is,' a second law enforcement source said. Advertisement 'The only way this guy is going to learn his lesson is when he kills somebody,' another source added. Faison who insiders say is friends with Mayor Adams, was put in charge of the unit in 2023 and made $234,903 in 2024, records show. 9 Faison also runs a non-profit that aims to help underpriviledged kids become pilots. Winston Faison/ Facebook Faison, who joined the NYPD in 2000 and became the unit's first black commander to fanfare in 2023, began training for his instructor's license in April and obtained it May 28. Advertisement He got his coveted helicopter instructor's license in record time on the city's dime despite showing up so late to a $80,000 course in Texas that concerned trainers in the Lone Star State called the unit's base at Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn, the second source said. 'It used to take a decade to become a helicopter instructor in the unit,' the third source said. 'This guy does it in 18 months.' 9 Faison made history in 2023 when he became the first Black man to run the elite NYPD unit. News 12 Like most NYPD pilots, he had a private plane license when he joined the unit. Advertisement Faison went to two Bell training programs on the city's dime totaling more than $100,000 — one for $80,000 and the other around $20,000, including the air and sea rescue class he showed up to late in Texas despite having a travel day, the sources said. Meanwhile, pilots in the unit are working double and triple shifts because of high attrition at the NYPD, the sources said. 9 Faison previously worked in two Brooklyn precincts. Winston Faison/ Facebook 'He used up all the hours in the helicopter,' a fourth source said, explaining that helicopters have to be taken out of service after so many flying hours. 'There were pilots sitting around because he pushed them aside for himself.' Advertisement No reason was given for his ouster in an internal NYPD document that went out to members Thursday night. A police source familiar with Faison's transfer said he is under internal investigation. The FAA could suspend or revoke Faison's pilot's license. Faison hung up on a reporter who called him Friday. The NYPD didn't comment.
NDTV
20-07-2025
- NDTV
Helicopter Struck Overhead Cable Before Crash In Uttarakhand: Probe Body
New Delhi: In the helicopter crash that killed six people in Uttarakhand in May, the main rotor blade of the chopper struck an overhead fibre cable, before tumbling down the hillside and coming to rest against a tree, according to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). Releasing the preliminary probe report of the crash on Saturday, the AAIB said that the investigation team is working on the further course of action to find the root cause of the accident. The 17-year-old Bell 407 helicopter operated by Aerotrans Services Pvt Ltd, with six passengers onboard, crashed 24 minutes after being airborne on May 8. The pilot and five passengers died in the accident, while one passenger sustained serious injuries. AAIB said that the helicopter, which was airborne from Kharsali helipad at 8.11 am on May 8, was destroyed in the crash but there was no fire. The accident happened at Gangnani in Uttarkashi at 8.35 am. In its five-page report, AAIB said the helicopter flew for 20 minutes before descending from its assigned altitude. "Initially, the pilot attempted to land on the Uttarkashi-"Gangotri Road (NH 34) near Gangnani in Uttarkashi. During the landing attempt, the helicopter's main rotor blade struck an overhead fibre cable running parallel to the road. "It also damaged some roadside metallic barricades. However, the helicopter was unable to land and tumbled down the hillside. Eventually, it came to rest against a tree, approximately 250 feet deep in a gorge," it said. The helicopter, powered by Rolls Royce engine, was manufactured in 2008. The US National Transportation Safety Board and Canada's Transportation Safety Board have appointed accredited representatives and technical advisors for the investigation. "The investigation team is coordinating with them for further course of action required to find out the root cause(s)," the report said.
Time of India
20-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Uttarakhand crash: AAIB says helicopter tumbled down hill after rotor blade hit overhead cable
A preliminary probe into the helicopter crash that killed six people in Uttarakhand in May has found that the main rotor blade of the chopper struck an overhead fibre cable, before tumbling down the hillside and coming to rest against a tree. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) said on Saturday that the investigation team is working on the further course of action to find the root cause of the accident. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category The 17-year-old Bell 407 helicopter operated by Aerotrans Services Pvt Ltd , with six passengers onboard, crashed 24 minutes after being airborne on May 8. The pilot and five passengers died in the accident, while one passenger sustained serious injuries. AAIB said that the helicopter, which was airborne from Kharsali helipad at 8.11 am on May 8, was destroyed in the crash but there was no fire. The accident happened at Gangnani in Uttarkashi at 8.35 am. Live Events In its five-page report, AAIB said the helicopter flew for 20 minutes before descending from its assigned altitude. "Initially, the pilot attempted to land on the Uttarkashi- Gangotri Road (NH 34) near Gangnani in Uttarkashi. During the landing attempt, the helicopter's main rotor blade struck an overhead fibre cable running parallel to the road. "It also damaged some roadside metallic barricades. However, the helicopter was unable to land and tumbled down the hillside. Eventually, it came to rest against a tree, approximately 250 feet deep in a gorge," it said. The helicopter, powered by Rolls Royce engine, was manufactured in 2008. The US National Transportation Safety Board and Canada's Transportation Safety Board have appointed accredited representatives and technical advisors for the investigation. "The investigation team is coordinating with them for further course of action required to find out the root cause(s)," the report said.
The Hindu
20-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Uttarakhand chopper crash: AAIB says helicopter tumbled down hill after rotor blade hit overhead cable
In the helicopter crash that killed six people in Uttarakhand in May, the main rotor blade of the chopper struck an overhead fibre cable, before tumbling down the hillside and coming to rest against a tree, according to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). Releasing the preliminary probe report of the crash on Saturday (July 19, 2025), the AAIB said that the investigation team is working on the further course of action to find the root cause of the accident. The 17-year-old Bell 407 helicopter operated by Aerotrans Services Pvt Ltd, with six passengers onboard, crashed 24 minutes after being airborne on May 8. Also Read | Seven killed in Kedarnath chopper crash; fifth accident on Char Dham yatra route in six weeks The pilot and five passengers died in the accident, while one passenger sustained serious injuries. AAIB said that the helicopter, which was airborne from Kharsali helipad at 8.11 a.m. on May 8, was destroyed in the crash but there was no fire. The accident happened at Gangnani in Uttarkashi at 8.35 a.m. In its five-page report, AAIB said the helicopter flew for 20 minutes before descending from its assigned altitude. "Initially, the pilot attempted to land on the Uttarkashi-Gangotri Road (NH 34) near Gangnani in Uttarkashi. During the landing attempt, the helicopter's main rotor blade struck an overhead fibre cable running parallel to the road. "It also damaged some roadside metallic barricades. However, the helicopter was unable to land and tumbled down the hillside. Eventually, it came to rest against a tree, approximately 250 feet deep in a gorge," it said. Also Read | Helicopter-related accidents in Uttarakhand over the years: A timeline The helicopter, powered by Rolls Royce engine, was manufactured in 2008. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board and Canada's Transportation Safety Board have appointed accredited representatives and technical advisors for the investigation. "The investigation team is coordinating with them for further course of action required to find out the root cause(s)," the report said.
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Business Standard
20-07-2025
- General
- Business Standard
U'khand chopper crash: AAIB says copter tumbled after rotor blade hit cable
In the helicopter crash that killed six people in Uttarakhand in May, the main rotor blade of the chopper struck an overhead fibre cable, before tumbling down the hillside and coming to rest against a tree, according to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). Releasing the preliminary probe report of the crash on Saturday, the AAIB said that the investigation team is working on the further course of action to find the root cause of the accident. The 17-year-old Bell 407 helicopter operated by Aerotrans Services Pvt Ltd, with six passengers onboard, crashed 24 minutes after being airborne on May 8. The pilot and five passengers died in the accident, while one passenger sustained serious injuries. AAIB said that the helicopter, which was airborne from Kharsali helipad at 8.11 am on May 8, was destroyed in the crash but there was no fire. The accident happened at Gangnani in Uttarkashi at 8.35 am. In its five-page report, AAIB said the helicopter flew for 20 minutes before descending from its assigned altitude. "Initially, the pilot attempted to land on the Uttarkashi-?Gangotri Road (NH 34) near Gangnani in Uttarkashi. During the landing attempt, the helicopter's main rotor blade struck an overhead fibre cable running parallel to the road. "It also damaged some roadside metallic barricades. However, the helicopter was unable to land and tumbled down the hillside. Eventually, it came to rest against a tree, approximately 250 feet deep in a gorge," it said. The helicopter, powered by Rolls Royce engine, was manufactured in 2008. The US National Transportation Safety Board and Canada's Transportation Safety Board have appointed accredited representatives and technical advisors for the investigation. "The investigation team is coordinating with them for further course of action required to find out the root cause(s)," the report said.
