Preliminary report on Marion Co. helicopter crash

WASHINGTON D.C. (WDEF) – The National Transportation Safety Board has released their preliminary report on the I-24 helicopter crash that killed a Marion County detective and a Highway Patrol Pilot.

The report confirms that Matt Blansett and Lee Russell were taking part in a marijuana observation flight.

They also helped search for a missing person before the crash, but resumed the marijuana mission after failing to find the person.

The report says a truck driver was on I 24 talking to his wife on the phone when he saw the helicopter.

He commented to her that it was flying dangerously low, when he saw it hit the power lines and saw an arc of light.

He did not see the helicopter crash, but ran over the power line that fell onto the interstate.

Investigators say the chopper came down in a heavily wooded and steep terrain.

There was no fire from the crash.

“The nose of the helicopter was embedded in the ground on a ravine wall with the tail section pointed straight up in the air.”

The tail rotor and part of the vertical stabilizer were found under the powerlines, not far from the crash.

Investigators say marks on the blades do indicate contact with the powerlines.

The preliminary report does not deal with the cause of the collision.