Three people killed during a Discovery Channel Reality Show filming probably died due to cost cutting measures by the Discovery Channel.

The “Crossbow Helicopters” Bell 206B Jet Ranger helicopter #N59518 was being used to shoot a reality show on the Polsa Rosa Ranch near Acton, California when it crashed at about 3:40 am. It broke into three pieces on impact in a rugged canyon area near Soledad Canyon Road.

Cast member Michael Donatelli, cameraman Darren Rydstrom and pilot David Gibbs died when the helicopter they were in crashed at the Polsa Rosa Ranch. The case alleges “conscious disregard of additional, unacceptable safety risk” and claims that the pilot and the various chopper companies were unfit to operate the Helicopter.

Grisel Donatelli, Amanda Donatelli and Dominic Donatelli named Discovery Communications, producers Eyeworks USA, Bongo Inc, Van Nuys Copters, Crossbow Helicopters and Orbic Air and others were named in the 23-page three count complaint.

Pilot Gibbs had a spotty safety record. His license had been suspended by the FAA several times.

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Nigerian Helicopter Crash Kills 4


Pictured: A South Africa – Air Force Agusta A-109E LUH. (Photo of Nigerian Navy Agusta not available)
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Jacobus Saayman

What: Nigerian Navy Agusta A109E Reconnaissance helicopter en route from Port Harcourt to Lago
Where: Mmiri Ochiochi swams, in Obodo Isiokpo, Port Harcourt Nigeria
When: Jan 26, 2010
Who: 4 Fatalities
Why: While en route from Warri via Brass to Port Harcourt, the helicopter crashed into a swampy area about 2 minutes flying time from Port Harcourt International Airport. Apparently naval officers on the scene prevented locals and reporters from taking photographs.

The helicopter went into a spin, and emitted a bang before crashing. Locals on the scene used a machete to hack through a door to retrieve passengers in a rescue effort.

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3 Doctors Killed in Palos Hills Plane Crash

Plane crashA small plane crashed in a field near 101st Street and 86th Court in Palos Hills, Illinois, at around 10:40 p.m. on October 12.

The Lawrence, Kansas-bound 2000 twin-engine Beechcraft Baron Aircraft took off from Chicago Midway International Airport and went down shortly afterwards.

Three people were killed in the accident. Stormont-Vail HealthCare, based in Topeka, Kansas, said that 2 of the victims were serving at its facility. They identified them as Tausif Rehman, 34, a neurosurgeon and Ali A. Kanchwala, 36, a pulmonologist. The third victim was Maria Javaid, 37, who was the wife of Kanchwala and an interventional cardiologist at Providence Medical Center, Kansas City.

The NTSB is leading the investigation.

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Helicopter Crash in Texas Leaves Two Dead

A helicopter crashed into a cotton field in Williamson County, Texas, on August 21st.

The incident happened shortly after the aircraft took off from Georgetown Municipal Airport, Texas.

There were two people aboard at the time; both were killed in the crash.

The NTSB and the FAA are investigating.

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Small Plane Makes Crash Landing in Cherokee County

twin-engineA twin-engine plane made a crash landing in a field near County Road 1314 and Farm to Market Road 768 in Rusk, Texas, on October 25.

The pilot had to make a crash landing after the plane’s right engine failed during a flight from Reklaw to Cherokee County Airport.

The aircraft was carrying 4 people, including the pilot, his wife and 2 others. One of them was airlifted to ETMC Tyler while another was shifted to Jacksonville ETMC through ambulance.

The authorities confirmed that the passengers sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

The FAA and the DPS are investigating.

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Qantas Flight Suffers Rolls Royce Engine Rupture


video capture of damaged Rolls Royce engine

What: Qantas Airbus A380-842 en route from Singapore (Singapore) to Sydney,NS
Where: Singapore
When: Nov 4th 2010
Who: 440 passengers and 26 crew
Why: After taking off from Singapore, over Batam the engine exploded and began emitting smoke. The airplane took off at 9:57L, about 4 minutes later abnormal engine #2 indications occurred and the engine shut down at 10:01L. Debris fell in a district called Dutamas, including the Qantas logo, and a turbine falling through a house. The pilot dumped fuel and returned to make a safe landing in Singapore.

The Trent 900 engine has been subject to an EASA Airworthiness Directive. Maintenance determined that “the intermediate pressure turbine disk of engine #2 failed” and are checking for the directive’s warning (intermediate pressure shaft coupling splines requiring inspection for excessive wear) but they believe the engine failure is unrelated to the Directive.

The parts that fell in Batam have been quarantined. Australian accident investigators have downloaded the CVR and FDR. The Australian Transportation Safety Board preliminary report deadline is Dec 3 2010.

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Lord Ballyedmond Among The Four Deceased in Norfolk Helicopter Crash

A civilian helicopter crash, near Beccles, Norfolk,UK claimed four lives. The deceased include Lord Ballyedmond, who was a Northern Ireland peer and industrialist.3

The accident happened at around 19:30 GMT, when the area was covered in thick fog. All four passengers died at the spot.

Some witnesses have reported that the helicopter crashed soon after it took off.

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