The US Coast Guard pilot charged with negligent homicide for the 2010 crash of his helicopter has faced his Article 32 hearing.  Lt. Lance Leone was the sole survivor of the crash, which occurred when the helicopter hit a 1,900-foot unmarked wire span.  The lead investigator said the wires were improperly marked, but even so, the helicopter should never have been that low.

Capt. Timothy Heitsch…said that as an aviator, he did not believe the lines were marked in a way they could have been seen…

The helicopter hit the wires, according to the record and testimony, at about 114 feet…

Heitsch repeated his contention that the helicopter was flying too low, saying it should have been no lower than 2,000 feet when it flew over a wildlife refuge, and that Leone was “not actively navigating.”

The widow of the pilot, Lt Sean Krueger, attended the hearing said the families have “gone through enough.”

I don’t feel as though the Coast Guard needs to push to make this more of a travesty than a tragedy.

The Associated Press also notes the commander of the unit, Cmdr William Cameron, was inclined to take no action against the co-pilot.  However, he had a “conversation” with the new Coast Guard commander in Alaska, Rear Adm. Thomas Ostebo that seemed to imply Ostebo disagreed.

Admiral Ostebo will ultimately make the decision as to the disposition of charges.