VALLEY FALLS — Three men were taken to a Topeka hospital following Wednesday morning’s crash of an Ottawa-based helicopter in Jefferson County. The Kansas Highway Patrol said the helicopter pilot, Wayne Spry, 62, Wakarusa; and two passengers, Clinton Shoemaker, 32, and Jerald Senger, 45, both of Tonganoxie and both employees of Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline Co.; were taken to St. Francis Medical Center. Authorities described their injuries as minor, and they were treated and released. The helicopter, which is owned by Hawkeye Aviation of Ottawa, was checking a pipeline near Valley Falls and Spry lost control of aircraft. Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Herrig:
The helicopter struck some trees as it fell and came to rest between two tree lines in a clearing on a former railroad that is now a walking trail, just east of the Valley Falls baseball park, the highway patrol said. It was fortunate that the helicopter crashed on the trail, and not into the trees, Herrig said. The helicopter sustained significant damage, he said Photos by news agencies show the Bell 206 lying on its side. The crash is under investigation by the FAA. According to the company’s Web site, Hawkeye is owned by
John C. Scott. Hawkeye has 17 employees and a fleet of 14 airplanes and helicopters. The company says it does most of aerial patrols in 27 states in the central U.S.
Wednesday, May 2, noon; updated, Thursday, May 3, 6:30 a.m.
