Another Training Accident

By Bull Nav

This happened last week, but did not get any network airplay, I did not see it in my newspaper, and I do not remember seeing anything about it on any of the milblogs:

Release Date: 5/8/2007 8:55:00 AM
From Naval Air Station Fallon Public Affairs
AUSTIN, Nev. (NNS) -- All five crew members of a Navy SH-60F helicopter were killed May 7, in a crash approximately 10 miles west of Austin, Nev.
The crash site was initially located by military aircraft at 9:40 p.m. PDT, 15 minutes after the helicopter crashed. A Navy UH-1N search and rescue helicopter, dispatched from NAS Fallon, arrived at the scene at approximately 10:15 p.m.

Every time I hear about a Navy helicopter going down, I get that slightly sick feeling since I still have a couple of BR's who are pilots. I always hope it is not one of them.
At the same time, I pray for the families of those who did go:

...crew members identified were: Cmdr. Michael D. Sheahan, 40, of Augusta, Ga., also a pilot and the commanding officer of HS-7; Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 1st Class William Weatherford, 30, of Wichita, Kan.; Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 2nd Class Jared John Rossetto, 24, of Corralitos, Calif.; and Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 2nd Class Andrew Robert Bibbo, 22, of Clinton, Maine, according to a news release.

We train like we are going to fight, and that means hard training with lots of inherent risk. These guys were preparing for the fight and deserve as much recognition as if they were there.
The part I found interesting was that

Sheahan was piloting the helicopter when it struck a high-voltage power line and crashed about 10 miles west of Austin in central Nevada, the Navy said.

The squadron CO was piloting when they went down. I think that makes it even harder. Here is the guy with the most experience in the squadron...gone. I know the aviation community Mishap Investigation Reports leave no stone unturned so they will figure it out.
But let's go back to CDR Sheahan.
I thought that here is a guy my age and rank so he probably graduated from college about the same time. The first story I found (and I can't find it now) said CDR Sheahan graduated in 1989, same year as me (and LTCOL P for that matter).
Then I found out he joined the Navy

after graduating from The Citadel

VMI and The Citadel have a long relationship that is not always pleasant. Still, I have as much respect for Citadel grads as I do my fellow VMI alums. It takes a lot to sacrifice a normal college life for what we went through.
My thoughts and prayers are with CDR Sheahan's family and for his crew and their families.

May 13, 2007 02:43 PM Navy ~ The Long War

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Comments

Because the crew was stationed in Jacksonville, it was big news here in Florida. I seem to remember something on Fox News too.

Moultrie Creek · May 13, 2007 04:39 PM

I lived for 3 and 1/2 years out in Fallon. Its a tough area for the helo pilots to fly in and the mountain flying course they teach is one of the best in the world. I'd be interested in finding out some of the details about this mishap-in my experience with these types of mishaps-its never good.

The news about this has been all over our Alumni news list this week. God bless all of their families.

Skippy-san · May 13, 2007 05:28 PM

Small world... the pilot was from my hometown (Augusta, GA). Anyone know what high school he attended?

Joel · May 13, 2007 08:14 PM

Night Vision Goggles training?

Greybeard · May 13, 2007 09:34 PM

On the surface, yes, it sounds like it. Striking powerlines is a common accident with NVG training, especially if the aircrew is not that experienced with them. I'm not knocking the ASW guys, but they don't exactly do a lot of low-level NVG flying (a la the Nightstalkers). It's probably something they have to knock out from time to time, but they don't do it a lot.

Joel · May 14, 2007 08:47 AM

Joel - they do more than you think. A lot more...

bullnav · May 14, 2007 10:16 AM

All Navy helo crews fly NVG's all the time. Nobody flies at night unaided anymore regardless of what mission they are doing.

Alex · May 14, 2007 01:15 PM

It is a shame we have not yet developed a really high frequency collision advoidance radar system to detect small objects like power lines. God bless them and Happy New Market Day
Tom

Tom Wilson vmi79 · May 15, 2007 07:18 AM

I was very sad to read about the HS-7 HH-60H crash at NAS Fallon, NV. I served with AW1 William "Bill" Weatherford in HS-14 back in 98-00. He was one of the best first tour guys in the shop and our strongest swimmer.
As for comments about NVG flying, and HS squadrons. Since 1991 Combat Rescue/Naval Special Warfare Support is one of the two primary missions that an HS squadron undertakes. The other mission being USW (formerly known as ASW). I am very familiar with Fallon having done two CVW work-ups, WTI course 99-1 and Desert Rescue. It is true that routes are surveyed frequently, but to err is human and it is very unforgiving to err on the tubes. I don't know the specifics of what the lighting was, but low-light is very demanding.

Fair Winds and Following Seas to the lost

Scott Fitzpatrick · May 29, 2007 09:14 PM

I have served w/ CDR Sheahan and he was one of the best and most experienced pilots I know. This accident was with a squadron who have flown missions in Iraq. They do fly on NVGs everytime they fly at night. Wires are very difficult to see when on NVGs alone. Only FLIR would have been able to pick them up easier.

Fair Winds and Following Seas to the crew.

ko · June 7, 2007 09:38 PM

I went through bootcamp, aircrew school, rescue swimmer school and most of AW school with Andrew Bibbo. he was by far one of the best guys i've ever meant. i now live in las vegas and i just heard about this and i am devestated right now. Andrew Bibbo was, is and always will be one of the best friends i've ever had. i can't believe that something like this would happen so such a good person and sailor. he loved every minute of life and he could cheer up anyone he was around. my prayers go out to him. i know he's in a better place right now.

Tony · July 6, 2007 08:03 PM

Would like to e-mail or speak w/tony from vegas if possilbe. Thanks-Lori(Drew's Mom)

Lori-ann · September 5, 2007 06:05 AM

I just heard about the accident. It's crushing. I am trying to reach Drew's mother, Lori. I was his girlfriend in Florida while he was in Pensacola. I live in Tallahassee. Would love to write to you. I have not been able to find any contact information. Please e-mail me with an address if you see this and with any questions you'd like to ask. You and your family are in my heart.

-Jenn, heartbroken, at FSU in Tallahassee

Jenn · September 22, 2007 03:37 PM

I would like to contact Jenn from Tallahasee and Tony from vegas,not sure how to get e-mails sent to this site.-Drews mom,Lori (e-mail-lori_ann7@hotmail.com)

Lori-ann · October 10, 2007 09:26 AM

My brother, Jared, was one who went down in this crash. I am looking for answers..I'm trying to find out why such a thing could happen in a training area. Anyone with information..let me know, cause the military isn't telling us anything.
tjrossetto@gmail.com

Terra · November 8, 2007 03:49 PM

i served with hs-7 in 2004 and 2005 i knew all of the 5 ppl very well im crushed.

michael carley · December 17, 2007 07:57 PM

Not a day goes by that I do not remember Michael . He was my first cousin and very proud to serve his country and family. He never got to meet his last child and daughter who was the most beautiful gift to Michael's parents and especially his mother for she was born on her birthday. What a bittersweet day. I live near Fort Gordon, Ga and often stop strangers in uniform to thank them for the sacrifices they make each day for us. And I pray that each and everyone comes home safely to thier family and friends. Michele' Augusta,Ga

Michele · May 6, 2008 03:23 PM