Pilot who crashed on freeway was flying too low
The pilot who died after crashing his helicopter on the Harbor Freeway late Friday night was flying too low and hit overhead power lines shortly before the accident, California Highway Patrol officials said today.
The man was flying alone from El Monte Airport to Torrance Municipal Airport and was not talking to air traffic controllers when he crashed around 11 p.m. Friday, said Ian Gregor, a Federal Aviation Administration spokesman. The pilot has not yet been identified because his body was too badly burned.
The pilot, who was flying a Robinson R-22 helicopter, struck power lines north of Century Boulevard and landed in the southbound lanes of the 110 freeway near Imperial Highway. No drivers were hurt, but the freeway was closed until 4:20 a.m. this morning.
The power lines were not damaged, California Highway Patrol officials said.
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the accident.
jason.song@latimes.com
