Tower Lights in Air Angels Crash Were Operational

By Karl Klockars in News on Oct 22, 2008 6:45PM

Despite earlier statements saying that WBIG's tower lights were lit at the time of the Air Angels crash that killed 4 people, station owner Rick Jakle certainly breathed a sigh of relief when security video independently confirmed that the lights were indeed illuminated. The Tribune reports that a security camera at the Route 59 Metra station, pointing north, indicated that the lights were flashing up to 11:58 pm, the time of the crash, and Suburban Chicago News reports that the NTSB has confirmed it as well. Neither the helicopter or the crash were visible on the video.

With this information, investigators will now turn to the possibilities of pilot error, or mechanical failure. Even thought WBIG's tower has effectively been cut in half, they have returned to the air. Since the station broadcasts from a smaller antenna unaffected by the crash, it remains to be seen what will happen to the larger "stick" - will it be taken down entirely, will it be repaired to its original height, or will it operate at its current height? A memorial for the deceased is planned for Friday morning at Our Lady of Mercy Church, a couple miles south of the crash site.

Closeup of the damaged tower from ABC-7 News video