Investigators Try To Piece Together What Led To Helicopter Crash

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A day after a helicopter crashed near BWI, federal investigators are still trying to piece together what went wrong.

Amy Yensi has the latest.

State police tell WJZ they will not speculate on why the chopper crashed. It's now up to the federal authorities to find out.

Three people on board a doomed helicopter are recovering. The company operating it is removing the debris. The FAA opened the wreckage site near BWI as it continues into its investigation.

"I've been here for almost 10 years. I've never seen a helicopter hover that close," said a witness.

The Bell 206 Jet Ranger plunged right into the woods near the BWI MARC train station. It happened just before 1 p.m. Saturday. A BGE spokesperson tells WJZ the utility company hired the chopper to conduct a survey.

"He might have flattened it out a bit; he was trying to recover but you could hear it hit. Then you just saw smoke," said witness Michael Hawkins.

The pilot---Owen Garnett of Pennsylvania---and two passengers---Kevin Tennis and Jordan Marsh of Maryland---were checking power lines in the area when something went wrong.

"It didn't take but seconds and it was down," Hawkins said.

The chopper caught fire after the impact, igniting a brush fire. Though Anne Arundel County Fire and Rescue crews were able to contain it, Amtrak inspected its tracks as a precaution.

All three people on board were taken to Baltimore Washington Medical Center, but none of their injuries were serious.

"All three souls on board walked away, which was absolutely remarkable," said BWI COO Wayne Pennell.

Despite the crash happening near a busy commuter hub, no no one on the ground was hurt.

Officials say Amtrak and MARC service may be affected or delayed until the investigation is complete and the helicopter is removed.

The helicopter is owned by Sky River Helicopters of Pittstown, New Jersey.