KGIL coverage of NBC (Francis Gary Powers) Chopper crash 1977 by Randy Kerdoon

(07-29-2019) - On August 1, 1977, an NBC TV helicopter crashed onto a park near the corner of White Oak Ave and Victory Blvd in Reseda. On board was the Pilot, Francis Gary Powers (of U2 Spy plane fame) and his cameraman returning from covering fires in Santa Barbara. At the time I was an intern at KGIL-AM 1260 where Powers had previously served as a traffic reporter. News Director Dick Spangler called me into his office with a serious expression....gave me a tape recorder....and sent me to the scene, saying i'll explain on your way. (this was obviously before cell phones). The following is what aired on KGIL as they informed their listeners (with my interviews from the scene) of the tragic crash.