More detail on this person: Michael McNellis
was killed this past Sunday AM near Tampa
Florida enroute to pick up Joe Gibbs the former
Redskins Coach and now NASCAR owner. Cause
of the crash is yet unknown. This information was last updated 05/18/2016
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
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Date posted on this site:
03/10/2024
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Michael was a two tour Viet Nam helicopter pilot
who flew C Model gunships, call-sign "Vikings"
(unit number unknown-can any of you help me with
this?). His son believes his first tour started
around February 1968.
Funeral Services will be held at the St Lawrence
Catholic Church at the corner of Hienes and
Hillsborough Street in Tampa at 12PM. Graveside
service approximately 14:30 at the Florida
National Cementary, 6502 SW 102nd Ave, Bushnell
Florida.
The family welcomes any former veterans in the
Tampa area to attend both.
Condolences to his wife, Joyce McNellis and his
son Frank.
NTSB Identification: ATL02FA048. The docket is
stored in the Docket Management System (DMS).
Please contact Records Management Division
Nonscheduled 14 CFR
Accident occurred Saturday, February 16, 2002 in
New Smyrna Bch., FL
Probable Cause Approval Date: 9/30/2003
Aircraft: Bell 206L-1, registration: N23PJ
Injuries: 2 Fatal.
When the helicopter failed to arrive at the
destination airport, a waiting passenger became
concerned and alerted local authorities, and a
search for the helicopter was initiated. The
downed helicopter was located several hours later
in a swampy area approximately 6 miles southeast
of the destination airport. According to local law
enforcement personnel at the accident site, low
clouds and reduced visibility existed at the
approximate time of the accident. Examination of
the accident site showed that the wreckage debris
from the helicopter was scattered over an area
approximately 300 feet long and 40 feet wide.
Examination of the airframe and the engine
assembly failed to disclose a system malfunction
or component failure. Toxicology reports for the
pilot noted 115mg/dl (0.115%) of ethanol in the
blood and 153mg/dl (0.153%) in the vitreous.