Two individuals working on powerlines near the Mississippi River tragically lost their lives on Thursday when their helicopter struck power lines, subsequently crashing into a barge and igniting a fire that released thick black smoke, as reported by authorities.
The helicopter crew was conducting operations near East Alton, Illinois, approximately 20 miles (32 kilometers) north of St. Louis, when the aircraft collided with a barge located on the Missouri side of the river. Fortunately, no other injuries were reported from the incident.
Eyewitness Adam Briggs, who was fishing along the riverbank that morning, witnessed the helicopter maneuvering erratically across the river before it eventually picked up a worker using a marker ball to add to an existing power line. Following a brief moment of distraction when he glanced at his phone, Briggs looked back up just in time to see debris falling from the helicopter, followed by a loud bang and rising smoke.
In his shock, Briggs contacted 911 and began recording a video, narrating the unfolding disaster. “There was a pilot, there was a worker, the helicopter blew up and fell and crashed into that barge, and it’s exploding right now,” he exclaimed in the footage. He feared the worst, stating, “They’re dead. They have to be dead.”
A representative from Ameren, the power company involved, confirmed that the workers were contractors repairing and replacing tower lighting and marker balls on the power lines. The company expressed heartfelt condolences to the families and colleagues of the deceased workers, although their identities have not yet been disclosed.
Aviation experts stated that such helicopter work is common for utility companies; however, fatal crashes remain a rarity. Hassan Shahidi, president and CEO of the Flight Safety Foundation, emphasized the necessity for pilots to maintain a steady hover during operations. Investigators will assess whether factors such as wind or sudden changes in atmospheric conditions may have contributed to the crash. Briggs, while observing the incident, noted that while there was a gentle breeze, the wind did not seem particularly strong.
Power lines pose a significant hazard for helicopter pilots due to their challenging visibility, as outlined by Thomas Anthony, director of the Aviation Safety and Security Program at USC. He recounted an interaction from a prior aviation conference, where a participant expressed the fear that helicopter pilots commonly have about power lines.
In a similar incident, a helicopter crew stringing new powerlines crashed in Pennsylvania in 2018, resulting in two fatalities and one injury. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are set to investigate the recent crash, with an NTSB investigator anticipated to arrive at the site on Friday. Anthony noted that investigators will likely explore whether the helicopter contractor implemented a safety management system to reduce risks.
The helicopter crash occurred around 11 a.m. on the Mississippi River, approximately half a mile (800 meters) downstream from the Melvin Price Lock and Dam. Response teams arrived from both the Illinois and Missouri sides of the river. The fire department utilized boats to reach the crash site, with assistance from a private tugboat to extinguish the flames. Notably, there were no individuals present on the barge at the time of the collision.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Briggs reflected on the emotional toll of witnessing such an event, expressing his deep respect for the workers involved. “Those guys have a very dangerous job. They are doing it for other people’s safety,” he mentioned, acknowledging the bravery required for such work.
___
This coverage includes contributions from various Associated Press reporters, reflecting on the serious nature of the incident and the implications it holds for aviation and public safety.
