HARRISON JAMES W #2

CW2 James W. Harrison was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 11/03/2001 at the age of 54.4 from A/C accident
Dallas, TX
Flight Classes 71-1 and 70-47
Date of Birth 06/02/1947
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with 135 AHC in 71-72
Call sign in Vietnam EMU 23
This information was provided by NTSB report, Ron Leonard

More detail on this person: I just heard on the news that Jim Harrison was killed in a helicopter crash. He was an instructor at Sky Helicopter's in Garland, TX. He was a Vietnam Vet and, I believe, a member of VHPA.

I have flown with him a few times as my wife has been treating me to an annual helicopter flying experience for my birthday. He was a super nice guy and a former middle school band instructor (read Patience) for Dallas ISD. It surprises me completely that initial reports indicate that it appears to be a wire strike from flying low-level reported by his 40 year old student who is recovering.

From: Ron Leonard

NTSB Summary

CW2 James W. Harrison III (Army Aviator and Vietnam Veteran) age 54 of Dallas, TX, Employed by Sky Helicopter

Killed in Robinson R22 during confined area and pinnacle flight training at mid day in good weather when the crew saw unmarked wires across the river attempted a pitch-up and turn avoidance maneuver followed by wire strike on the main mast cowling and tail rotor failure resulting in crash into the river bank and forest terrain along the Trinity River near Garland TX. He died 03 Nov 2001.

This information was last updated 05/18/2016

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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024


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