News helicopter crashes near Space Needle; two dead - Puget Sound Business Journal (http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2014/03/18/news-helicopter-crashes-near-space-needle-two-dead.html?ana=e_du_pub&s=article_du&ed=2014-03-18)

The two people killed, KOMO News videographer Bill Strothman and helicopter pilot Gary Pfitzner, were on board the helicopter, which was used by both KOMO and KING-TV news organizations. Their names were released by KOMO.

Everyone thinks this is such a damned easy routine business...

Perhaps I am biased, having lost a fair number of friends and colleagues to flight mishaps over the years, but I don't perceive that the prevailing opinion amongst the public is "easy" whether it be news or medical or any other type of flying. Without question, though, it is tragic when it happens. Families shattered.

No real indication of a probable cause in the article. People will speculate endlessly with or without facts and I hope that this thread doesn't devolve into dishonoring the lives lost through an excess of speculation. It takes a long time, often a couple years, but the NTSB will release a report based on the facts.

Condolences to the families and friends of those injured and lost.

I should point out that a very good friend of this forum was friends with those killed in the crash so I would encourage decorum.