WEST CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - A Cataula, Georgia, man was killed when his Air Angels medical helicopter crashed into a snowy field at a suburban county airport while practicing maneuvers. <br>
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The pilot was identified as 52-year-old Michael Russell, the only person onboard. <br>
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DuPage Airport spokesman Brian Kulpin said the helicopter crashed on airport property about two miles south of its runways Tuesday night. <br>
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Weather conditions were snowy and wet, but he didn't know if that contributed to the accident. <br>
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An investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board, Todd Fox, said the helicopter showed no signs of mechanical failure prior to takeoff. <br>
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Russell's family said his helicopter work was done out of his passion for flying. <br>
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His wife, Gloria, said ``It wasn't about the money. He wanted to fly and liked emergency medical service work.'' <br>
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His family said Russell was an Army pilot during the Vietnam War. <br>
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He is survived by his wife and two sons.
