ROCKLEDGE, Fla. – The NTSB is investigating a video showing a private helicopter crash Sunday morning on a softball field at the McKnight Family Sports Complex.
From just a couple hundred yards away, someone on the tennis courts recorded the crash and could be heard reacting, “Oh, my God.”
Rockledge police said what was left of the helicopter was removed Monday.
First responders Sunday reported the two people in the helicopter, while injured, survived the crash.
“Both patients have been stabilized,” a responder said on dispatch recordings. “They are both awake and breathing so far.”
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Also over the radio, the rescuers reported the names of the pilot and his passenger.
They said the pilot was Dr. Wasim Niazi, 61, a Merritt Island neurologist.
His daughter told News 6 reporter James Sparvero on Monday that Niazi was getting surgery on his lower back.
Niazi’s LinkedIn picture shows a small plane through the reflection of his sunglasses.
His daughter said Niazi has been flying for decades, and the passenger was his girlfriend.
Police said engine failure may have caused the crash.
Police on Monday said they turned over the video of the crash to the NTSB as the investigation continues.
The records department also said it might share audio from 911 calls that were made when the helicopter crashed.
