The pilot tragically lost in a helicopter crash on Thursday afternoon in Middlesex County has been identified by authorities.
The individual in question, Yosef-Ram Yitzchak, aged 44 and hailing from Israel, was at the controls of a single-engine Robinson R22 helicopter when it met with disaster around 3:30 p.m. The crash occurred in a canal located near the border shared by South Brunswick and Princeton, in close proximity to Princeton Airport, as indicated by investigators.
Upon the scene, a firefighter and police officers who were the initial responders took immediate action. They managed to lift the aircraft and extricate the pilot, bringing him to a nearby shoreline, according to South Brunswick Deputy Police Chief Jim Ryan, who reported these developments on Thursday.
Sadly, Yitzchak had sustained grave injuries, and despite efforts to save him, his condition could not be stabilized, lamented Ryan. Notably, he was the sole occupant of the helicopter.
Ryan shared on Friday, “Overnight, we’ve been working with the Israeli consulate and Israeli police to make notification to his mother and his sisters.”
Investigations into the cause of the crash have been launched by both the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board). Notably, the NTSB has assumed leadership of the investigation, according to confirmation provided by officials on Friday.
Furthermore, additional information pertinent to the case is anticipated to be unveiled during a scheduled NTSB briefing set for 3 p.m., as stated by Ryan.
According to FAA registry records, the helicopter is registered under the ownership of a company associated with Princeton Airport. Yitzchak had taken off from Princeton Airport, located approximately three miles from the crash site, as confirmed by Ryan.
In order to assess and disseminate findings, South Brunswick Police, in conjunction with representatives from the FAA and NTSB, returned to the crash site on Friday morning, as shared by Ryan.
The retrieval of the downed aircraft, which is partially submerged in the canal and situated in a remote location, will be coordinated by federal authorities. South Brunswick Police Lt. Gene Rickle noted that mechanical issues may have played a role in the crash. He stated, “We were able to talk to three different people (who heard the crash) and all of them seem to come to the conclusion that there was some type of malfunction,” during an interview with NJ Advance Media on Thursday night.
FAA records indicate that Yitzchak held certifications as both an airline transport pilot and a flight instructor, underscoring his experience and qualifications in aviation.
{Matzav.com}
