Lucky: Lottery Winner Survives Helicopter Crash

IRON STATION, NC — Timothy Kniess is one lucky man. Last year, the Iron Station resident won $100,000 in a scratch off lottery ticket. This week, that streak of life-changing luck seemed to be still be with him when he was able to crawl away from a helicopter crash with only scratches minutes before it was swallowed in flames.

The accident occurred Wednesday as Kniess was hovering over his yard in the helicopter and a tail rotor got caught in a tree, according Fox46.

Iron Station is located about 25 miles northwest of Charlotte.

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According to the station, neighbors said the 56-year-old recently purchased the Mosquito XE helicopter. "Man bought a helicopter, he woke up one day and said ‘today's the day, I identify as a pilot, bought a helicopter,’” said Kniess’ neighbor John Aubery. “Hell I can't tell a man what to do in his own property.”

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident. According to Fox 46, the Federal Aviation Administration is investigating his certification as a pilot, however, the NC Highway Patrol said there was no certification found under his name.

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