Tom Selleck Chopper Crash in the 80's?

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James77 · #1 Post by **James77** » Tue Jan 04, 2011 11:06 am

Hi,

First time on here.

When I did a pilgrimage to Hawaii in 2000 I saw some footage of the Island Hoppers chopper losing control and then crashing. A strongly built Hawaiian pulled an unconscious Tom Selleck out of the wreckage. It looked a genuine accident.

Strangely enough I cannot find this anywhere on the net and was wondering does anybody else know about or have seen this incident? Or was it part of a show?

Jamey

robspace54 · #2 Post by **robspace54** » Wed Jan 05, 2011 1:44 am

Robert Van Der Kar (cameraman) was killed in 1980 during a helicopter shot for the series. The episode was "Skin Deep" and the bird went into the ocean.

From the espisode guide of M-mania:

During the filming of this episode, in a low-flying aerial sequence, a Hughes 369D (N58243) helicopter crashed into the ocean, tragically killing camera technician Robert Van Der Kar (and injuring the pilot Robert Sanders). The official NTSB report finds the cause as pilot error, a misjudgement in altitude (i.e. the chopper was flying too low). The NTSB suspended Robert Sanders' license for 90 days.

KENJI · #3 Post by **KENJI** » Wed Jan 05, 2011 2:45 am

There was another time when there was a crash, but it was after the show had ended. I believe there were a few Hawaiians that helped the pilot out. I think the footage was on Youtube (it has been awhile since I've seen it).
Tom Selleck wasn't involved in this crash.

Magnum T. · #4 Post by **Magnum T.** » Wed Jan 05, 2011 5:37 pm

Hi James, welcome aboard.

#5 Post by **J.J. Walters** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 12:31 am

It wasn't Selleck. It was Magnum P.I. aerial coordinator and stunt pilot Steve Kux. The crash occurred just a few weeks after the series finale in 1988. Steve recovered from the crash, but lost the use of his left arm.

James77 · #6 Post by **James77** » Tue Jan 25, 2011 7:48 am

Thanks everyone for your responses and for clearing this up.

I must have had a few drinks that night as it looked like Tom to me. The Hawaiian dude/s looked seriously strong. I couldn't find any footage online, one link to the incident is no longer active.