The pilot who was killed when his helicopter crashed into the AXA Equitable Building in midtown Manhattan on Monday was identified by his former employer as a former fire chief from upstate New York.
The Official East Clinton Volunteer Fire Department described in a Facebook post how Tim McCormack, 58, “was a dedicated, highly professional and extremely well trained firefighter. Tim’s technical knowledge and ability to command an emergency were exceptional.”
“Chief McCormack was extremely respected by not only the members of the department, but throughout the Dutchess County fire service,” the statement continued. “Tim will be exceptionally missed by this department’s members, not only for his leadership but for his wonderful sense of humor.”
McCormack hit trouble as he piloted the helicopter through Monday’s terrible weather conditions in New York City, law enforcement told the New York Post. He reportedly contacted the West 30th Street helipad after dropping off his boss on the east side of the island, claiming there was a problem.
Police expect he became disoriented in the dense fog. It remains unclear why McCormack was flying in such poor conditions in the controlled airspace of midtown Manhattan, according to the Associated Press.
Officials believe that McCormack was the only fatality of the tragedy
