According to Daily Mail, wealthy New York businessman Gary Johnson, 65, died after his helicopter crashed in Carthage on July 27.
Investigators revealed the shocking reason for the aircraft malfunction was a nest built by mud dauber wasps inside the chopper's gas tank vent tube, causing the engine to sputter and plummet from the sky just 15 minutes into the flight.
Johnson, a prominent local figure who owned a gas station, auto repair shop, and several rental properties, hadn't flown his Schweizer 269C helicopter for three weeks before the fatal crash.
The dark-colored wasps, known for building nests in unused machinery, took advantage of the helicopter's hiatus, ultimately leading to the tragic accident that claimed Johnson's life.
The aircraft had been dormant for three weeks before the flight. During this time, a wasp nest developed in the helicopter's fuel vent tube, which went unnoticed until it was too late.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator, Robert Gretz, explained the mechanical failure that led to this tragic event.
Robert Gretz detailed the investigative process:
After all the fuel was drained, the metal fuel vent tube was examined with a borescope and a blockage was observed in the tube. The vent tube was then removed from the tank and the debris was removed using compressed air and a metal wire.
Despite emergency responses, Johnson was seriously injured upon impact. He was pronounced dead shortly after he arrived at Carthage Area Hospital.
Aside from his passion for flying, Gary Johnson was a key figure in the local business community. He initially owned a gas station and an auto repair shop in 1976, eventually expanding into multiple rental properties and renovating a restaurant with his daughter.
The helicopter had 11 gallons of fuel left, indicating that the crash was not due to a fuel shortage but rather the sporadic fuel flow caused by the vent blockage.
This critical detail was highlighted in the NTSB's report released on August 2, which confirmed the cause of the crash to be the wasp nest obstruction.
Gary Johnson's death has resonated deeply within his community and family. Detailed in his obituary, he is survived and remembered as a beloved son, brother, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend to many.
According to his obituary, he passed away unexpectedly while doing what he loved. His sudden loss at an age when many continue to enjoy their passions and family life emphasizes the profound impact of his absence on his loved ones and the community he helped build.
