Possible Interference by TV Crew in Sea Rescue Probed

The Federal Aviation Administration said Friday it is investigating the actions of a television news helicopter at the scene of a rescue off Point Loma.

Paul Sands, news director of KGTV (Channel 10), confirmed he received a letter Thursday from the FAA that said the station’s helicopter, Sky 10, may have interfered with a rescue operation.

The letter alleges that Sky 10 hampered the efforts of a Navy helicopter as it attempted to rescue Ferdinand Kroger after his 27-foot sailboat had foundered in shallow waters about 200 yards southwest of Point Loma on April 25.

The Navy helicopter abandoned its rescue efforts when a Coast Guard helicopter arrived on the scene. Kroger was taken to the Coast Guard Air Station at Lindbergh Field and was later released.

“That letter was not a letter of complaint,” said Chief Petty Officer Ruth Lawrence, a spokeswoman for the Navy. “It was a letter of concern for safety.”

The Navy “is not charging anybody with anything,” said Lawrence, adding, “The matter of concern is the fact that the Navy helicopter could not get in to rescue the guy, because they could not communicate with Channel 10.”

Sands said, “I have no reason to believe that Sky 10 interfered with anyone. I’m extremely pleased with the way our pilot operates, and his safety record.”

Sky 10 pilot Joseph Reynolds said the film crew shot some pictures of the Navy helicopter hovering over the swamped sailboat, but “we didn’t hamper the rescue operations of the Navy or the Coast Guard.”

FAA supervisory safety inspector Roy Billings confirmed that his office is looking into the incident, but he declined to discuss the nature of the investigation.

Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Alan Jorgensen said his office received a call at 12:45 p.m that a vessel had run aground. At the time, the Coast Guard helicopter was being refueled, so the Navy was called to assist. A helicopter from North Island Naval Air Station was sent to the scene, but it was relieved after the Coast Guard helicopter arrived, he said.

Air Force Capt. Steve Roark, temporarily assigned to the Coast Guard Air Station at Lindbergh Field and pilot of the HH-3F helicopter that eventually rescued Kroger, said, “I don’t know what happened before I got on the scene, but (Sky 10) did not interfere with me at all. He knows to stay clear and we’ve never had a problem with Sky 10 that I’ve heard of.”