Georgia man killed in helicopter crash

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> <br> The pilot was identified as 52-year-old Michael Russell, the only person onboard. <br> <br> DuPage Airport spokesman Brian Kulpin said the helicopter crashed on airport property about two miles south of its runways Tuesday night. <br> <br> Weather conditions were snowy and wet, but he didn&#39;t know if that contributed to the accident. <br> <br> An investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board, Todd Fox, said the helicopter showed no signs of mechanical failure prior to takeoff. <br> <br> Russell&#39;s family said his helicopter work was done out of his passion for flying. <br> <br> His wife, Gloria, said ``It wasn&#39;t about the money. He wanted to fly and liked emergency medical service work.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> His family said Russell was an Army pilot during the Vietnam War. <br> <br> He is survived by his wife and two sons.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2003/1/201678