Seismic drop hits near home
Kathy Kaminsky stands near the bag of seismic equipment that was dropped from a helicopter Sunday and landed on the deck of her Jackson Twp. home.
BY STACI WILSON
Kathy Kaminsky had just come inside Sunday after playing in the yard of her Jackson Twp. home with her 10-year-old granddaughter when she heard what she said sounded like a tornado passing over the roof.
Kaminsky and the child dived for cover. After the shaking and noise died down, the two went outside to explore. Kaminsky said she saw a helicopter – about 100-feet from the ground – she waved to the pilot and the chopper flew off.
It was then, Kaminsky said, her granddaughter discovered the bright orange bag on the back deck of the house.
Kaminsky, a petroleum engineer and outspoken advocate of natural gas drilling, said the bag contained gear used in the seismic process.
After several telephone calls, Kaminsky learned she needed to contact the Federal Aviation Administration. She said the FAA arrived at her home Monday morning to investigate.
She also contacted Cougar Land Services, a seismic testing company operating in the area. Kaminsky said Cougar told her they were aiming for a stake in her yard about 35 yards from where the bag landed.
But the bag remained on her deck Monday evening and it will remain there until the FAA finishes their investigation, Kaminsky said she was told.
“I would have been perfectly happy to have Cougar come get their bag,” she said.
She also said she would have liked to have been informed the drop was coming. “A 700-pound bag shouldn’t be dropped out of the sky without telling people,” Kaminsky said.
It is still not known why the bag was dropped so near the home. Attempts to reach Cougar Land Services local office were unsuccessful.
I do wonder how much of an advocate of natural gas drilling would she be if that bag had damaged her home or even hurt herself or grandchild… 700lbs falling from the sky could have even killed her.
Bonnie,
THE SKY IS FALLING, THE SKY IS FALLING……..
lol
Progress isn’t always popular, and I won’t fault someone for trying to make a living, but these tiny helicopters are like stunt choppers. I’m familiar with flight-safe weather, I’ve been denied medical helicopters many times, with even a blue sky. These guys fly in snow, rain, fog, at night, high winds, like it’s second nature. That’s all fine and well, if they’re comfortable. But is the chopper made to do that? In 2009, during a wind-driven thunderstorm, one of these choppers armed with a break-away tether, and a basket full of cables took down about a mile or so in live, high tension power lines in Wilmot Township. Poles are space further apart, equipped with wire rope to make the lines stretch. Broke off cross arms, snapped a pole, and littered a country intersection with live, arching, jumping power lines. But I do agree, that they should notify folks when they plan on doing a drop, in this case, its entirely possible that wind played a part.