2011 Helicopter Crash a Result of Texting While Flying

Accident investigators have determined that a helicopter crash, resulting in fuel loss, was impacted by texting while flying. 

According to a new accident report from the National Transportation Safety Board, the pilot ignored routine safety checks pre-flight because he was distracted by his portable electronic device - his cell phone. The crash took place in South Dakota.

They found that the pilot had 20 text messages in the span of two hours. Three messages were sent, and five were received while the helicopter was in flight. The company the pilot works for doesn't allow cell phones and laptops while flying, but the FAA official regulations only prohibits the use of them during critical parts of flying. They say they are going to revise that.