2014 Helena plane crash
The 2014 Helena plane crash was a non-fatal aviation accident that occurred behind the Dancing Daylily Garden on the 4500 block of South Shades Crest Road in Helena on the afternoon of July 31, 2014.
The small plane, a 1978 Piper PA-32-300, was piloted by Dan Smith of Dickson, Tennessee. It was carrying his wife, Sharon; son, Andy; and his son's girlfriend, Katie Hargrove. They were en route toward Dickson Municipal Airport from Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport in Panama City, Florida after a family vacation.
Smith was attempting an emergency landing at the Bessemer Airport because the plane had lost power. He descended into the trees about a mile shy of the airfield. He cut the engine and crashed into a wooded area about 300 feet from the road.
Duane Lovelady and Ralph Watkins, Jr witnessed the crash and ran to assist by pulling the victims out of the burning wreckage. The Helena Police Department, Helena Fire Department and Jefferson County Sheriff's Office responded to the call, along with members of the Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Aviation Administration. The victims were taken to UAB Hospital where Sharon Smith remained in critical condition.
The National Transportation Safety Board undertook a limited investigation into the incident, using reports compiled from other agencies. It was unable to determine the cause of the engine failure that led to the crash.
References
- Robinson, Carol (July 31, 2014) "'Blessed family': 4 injured, but survive when small plane crashes near Jefferson, Shelby county line." The Birmingham News
- Robinson, Carol (August 1, 2014) "Family injured in Helena plane crash recovering; 1 in serious condition, 3 others fair." The Birmingham News
- Reed, Martin J. (August 18, 2014) "Helena plane crash: 'God saved those people. We just happened to be there'." The Birmingham News
- Robinson, Carol (January 20, 2015) "Cause of plane crash in Helena that injured four occupants remains unknown." The Birmingham News