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BPA helicopter crashes, killing pilot

A Bonneville Power Administration helicopter crashed Aug. 17 outside BPA's Bell Substation just
north of Spokane, killing the pilot, a BPA employee. John Cooley III was alone in the aircraft and
was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

At the time of the crash, the helicopter was supporting construction of BPA's Grand Coulee-Bell
500-kV transmission line project. The pilot was pulling sock line, a light conductor, through rollers
on towers just outside the substation.

A witness said the pilot was at approximately 300 feet when the line appeared to go taut and
the helicopter, which had been horizontal, went vertical with the tail down. The pilot attempted
to right the helicopter but by this time was too near the ground and crashed. There was no fire.
No people or buildings on the ground were involved.

In accordance with Cooley's wishes, there was no formal service. Family and friends gathered
at the Cooley home Aug. 21 to celebrate his life. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may
be made to the charity or organization of choice.


 W3 John (Jack) Simpson


 Larry King


 Mark Kim, Hayne Moore, George Grinell


 Mr Thomas


 WO Little