Man Plunges to His Death from Chopper

[knuggy]

Pretty obvious this dude wanted to die, just sayin...

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (AP) — A man plunged hundreds of feet to his death Tuesday from a helicopter he hired to take a scenic tour of the Southern California coast, and investigators are trying to determine whether he committed suicide, authorities and the pilot's father said.

The man was the only passenger in a helicopter flying about 500 feet above the ocean in the early afternoon when he opened the door, Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor said.

Gregory McFadden, 61, of West Covina fell into the water near the Balboa Pier in Orange County and was taken to shore by lifeguards. Despite lifesaving efforts, he died at a hospital from injuries he received in the fall, Newport Beach police spokeswoman Jennifer Manzella said.

Chuck Street, a longtime helicopter pilot and local traffic reporter, told the Los Angeles Times that his son, Corbin, was flying the helicopter. He said the man apparently booked a 30-minute tour for two people but showed up alone.

Street told KCAL-TV that his son grew suspicious when McFadden kept asking him to fly higher and higher. When the helicopter neared the pier, McFadden took his seat belt off and began to open the door. Street said his son grabbed McFadden.

"The guy started to struggle, the aircraft kind of pitched up ... my son had his hand on his shirt, his shirt ripped and the guy just went out the door," Street said.

"He could have taken my son with him,"he added.

[Azimuth]

What an asshole. If you're going to do that shit, don't involve anyone else!

[Faline]

What a way to commit suicide

[Shakey]

Adios, Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[DiamondSmiles]

I just saw that story. He apparently had health issues.

Some like to go out in a way people will remember

I just sent you another angle of the pier, Knuggy, if you want it.

From 16 minutes ago:

**Man Who Jumped From Chopper Had Health Problems**

By Associated Press

A man in California booked a 30-minute helicopter tour for two people but showed up alone. After asking to fly higher, the man "just went out the door."

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — A man who died after jumping from a helicopter off of Newport Beach may have committed suicide because he was unable to get surgery for a chronic health condition he suffered with for the past 15 years, his brother told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

Greg McFadden, 61, was the only passenger in a helicopter flying about 500 feet above the ocean Tuesday when he opened the door and jumped, authorities said. He fell into the water near Balboa Pier and was taken to shore by lifeguards. He later died at a hospital.

Police said they are investigating the death as a suicide.

McFadden's brother, Brad, said his sibling had an esophageal disorder that would give him a bad case of acid reflux and caused him to choke when he went to bed. As a result, Greg McFadden was only able to get a few hours of sleep every night. He was hoping to get a surgery to fix the problem but it kept getting delayed.

"It was a very serious problem with him and it may have gotten to a point where it was unbearable," said McFadden, an attorney and the former mayor of West Covina where the family grew up.

Greg McFadden apparently hired the helicopter pilot to take a 30-minute scenic tour of the Southern California coast. The appointment was booked for two people, but Greg McFadden showed up alone, said Chuck Street, a longtime helicopter pilot and local traffic reporter, whose son, Corbin, was flying the chopper.

Street told KCAL-TV that his son grew suspicious when Greg McFadden kept asking him to fly higher and higher. When the helicopter neared the pier, McFadden took his seat belt off and began to open the door. Street said his son grabbed his passenger.

"The guy started to struggle, the aircraft kind of pitched up ... my son had his hand on his shirt, his shirt ripped and the guy just went out the door," Street said.

Horrified onlookers walking along the pier and the beach saw the incident and at least several people called 911, authorities said.

McFadden said he learned about what happened from a news reporter who called him. He then called the Orange County coroner's office who confirmed his brother had died. He couldn't explain why his brother decided to make such a spectacle.

"If you are contemplating suicide, which is the best way?" he said. "It's terrible but I guess he was being very creative."

Greg McFadden was one of four brothers and the son of a former Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy who died two years ago at the age of 86. He graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in philosophy, his brother said.

Once out of college, Greg McFadden started writing movie scripts but never was able to sell one. He worked as a hotel desk clerk and a travel agent, but was unemployed for the past decade, collecting Social Security benefits. He wasn't married and didn't have any kids.

McFadden described his older brother as a loner and whip smart when it came to mathematics. The last time he saw his sibling was two years ago after Greg McFadden moved out of his house. One of the other McFadden brothers had spoken to Greg a couple of months ago and he talked about his health condition, McFadden said.

"He was a very good man," he said. "He cared for people, loved animals and was a down-to-earth guy."

Down to Earth, indeed I wonder if he was singing, "Higher and Higher."

[Darkest Angel]

Very inventive indeed.

[Broadjumper]

He chose a beautiful place to do it.. Too bad he had to involve an innocent party.

[Kelseecat65]

Wow, that is beyond sad.

[DiamondSmiles]

Contribution to the thread by diamondsmiles:

pier.jpg

[Megamel29]

That's sad. I wonder why he couldn't get the surgery.

"Horrified onlookers walking along the pier and the beach saw the incident and at least several people called 911, authorities said."

Off topic, I hate this use of the word 'several'. Several isn't a specific number. Saying 'at least several' is weird and doesn't make sense.