Danbury Pilot of East River Copter Crash Speaks to NTSB

DANBURY, CT -- The Danbury pilot and sole survivor of the East River helicopter crash earlier this month told federal investigators that a passenger's restraint tether tripped the aircraft's emergency fuel cutoff switch, causing engine failure. The National Transportation Safety Board revealed this as part of is preliminary findings. The crash claimed the lives of five people.

Pilot Richard Vance told investigators that, before the flight, he explained to passengers how they could retrieve and use a cutting tool in the event of an emergency. Officials have said the tethers in the open door flight acted as a death trap causing five passengers to drown after they were unable to free themselves.

Vance told the NTSB that the engine trouble started after "the front-seat passenger turned sideways, slid across the double bench seat toward the pilot, leaned back, and extended his feet to take a photograph of his feet outside the helicopter."

The Airbus Eurocopter, operated by Liberty Helicopters Inc., on behalf of FlyNYON, plunged into New York City's East River on March 11.