Sad news, KOMO news copter crashed near the Space Needle in downtown Seattle with fatalities.

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/News-helicopter-crashes-burns-beside-Space-Needle-250790281.html

Wow, that is gutwrenching. Very sad.

Pilot and photographer both killed and driver of car copter landed on has 2nd and 3rd degree burns as well as impact injuries.

Lots of conjecture on cause. I noticed the tail rotor blades were still pretty much intact when the NTSB inspector was looking at the tail. I don't know too much about helicopters but witnesses said bird started rotating counter clockwise immediately after take off.

This was really tough on the KOMO staff who were reporting on the accident that happened only about 75 yds from their building. You could hear the strain in their voices. Losing two colleagues and having to carry the news on it in real time had to be hard.

Gary was a friend and a great guy. I was devastated to hear the news this morning. He was a great pilot with tons of experience and one of the nicest guys you could meet. The helicopter community in Seattle will truly miss him.

My prayers will go up for the families left behind.