Posted with permission from Confined Space, a newsletter of workplace safety and labor issues.
Keating Twp, PA — Two workers were killed when a helicopter performing maintenance on power lines crashed late Sunday afternoon 1.5 miles north of Smethport Borough in Keating Township. The fatalities confirmed by State Police at the Kane barracks and McKean County Coroner Michael Cahill. A third person in the helicopter, believed to be the pilot, suffered multiple fractures and was transported to UMPC Hamot Trauma Center by State Medevac rescue helicopter. The maintenance helicopter went down around 5:15 p.m. in a remote wooded area off East Valley Road in Smethport. State Police Cpl. Lance Schimp said investigators believe that the helicopter was hovering next to a power line, while workers tethered to the aircraft performed maintenance on the lines. According to preliminary reports at the scene, the helicopter may belong to JWD an electrical contracting company. Erie News Now checked on line, and found J.W. Didado Electric Company in Akron, Ohio.