Helicopter Accidents

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H-19
Niagara Falls AFB, NY
22 July 1959

The Oneonta Star (Oneonta, NY.)
Thu, Jul 22, 1959, page 1

Copter Falls Seeking Man; Three Killed

Mt. Morris, NY. (AP) — An Air Force helicopter crewed by Maj. Leo J. Carbonneau (P), Capt. Victor H. Hanf (CP) and SSgt. John E. Tinsman, searching for an elderly lost professor crashed in the wild, wooded gorge of the Ganesee River Wednesday and all three men aboard were killed.

The helicopter, from Niagara Falls AFB, hit a high tension line over the gorge and plumjmeted to a tiny island in the river.

The crash scene, near the north end of Letchworth State Park, is in an almost-inaccessible area of near wilderness. It is about four miles west of Mt. Morris and 35 miles southwest of Rochester.

The helicopter left Niagara Falls about 10 a.m. to assist in the search for Dr. Walter R. Bloor, 83, professor emeritus of biochemistry at the Universityh of Rochester. Bloor walked away from a picnic area in the park late yesterday and failed to return.

The crash occurred about 12:20 p.m.

Nearly three hours later, Bloor was found walking not far from where he disappeared.

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