WASHINGTON—Western Area Power Administration pilot Ken Host received an award for the skillful manner in which he averted a potentially fatal accident last November when his Bell 206 L3 helicopter experienced catastrophic engine failure and Host executed a successful emergency landing near Rifle, Colo.
    The award was presented to Host by Energy Secretary Bill Richardson here today. A veteran pilot with 20 years helicopter experience, Host has been with Western since 1992 and is based out of the Rocky Mountain Region in Loveland, Colo.
Following the incident, the Department of Energy reported, “Had the pilot crashed the aircraft into the wooded terrain in the vicinity of the engine failure, the aircraft would likely have been totally destroyed..”
    “The level and recency of training received by the pilot of this aircraft exceeded the minimum required by regulation for commercial pilots engaged in powerline patrol flying. However, the skills and judgement of the pilot, supported by this training, prepared him for this unexpected series of events and allowed him to perform in a manner which reduced this impending catastrophe to a minor accident,” the report said.
    The report concluded that Host’s proficiency in maneuvering the aircraft resulted in a total $2.4 million cost savings to the Federal government, including combined costs of the aircraft, injury or fatality, accident investigation costs, lost work time and environmental cleanup of the site.
    Host resides with his wife Bobette in Larimer County north of Fort Collins, Colo.