Cesar Lerma Obituary, Death: Man killed in fatal Houston helicopter accident identified
One of the four victims in the tragic helicopter crash that occurred Sunday night in Houston has been identified as Cesar Lerma. The helicopter, which was engaged in a night tour over downtown Houston, collided with a radio tower in the Second Ward before spiraling into flames and crashing to the ground. Lerma was one of three passengers aboard the Robinson R44 helicopter, along with the pilot.
In a heartfelt tribute on Facebook, Garrett Kauffman, a colleague and competitor of Lerma, expressed his sorrow, saying, “My heart is broken. I just learned that one of my colleagues/competitors was a member of the tragic helicopter crash here in Houston Sunday evening.
[Cesar] was a master of his craft… I am proud to have known him. Wished I would have been a better friend.” Kauffman further noted Lerma’s deep love for his three sons, indicating that one of his children was likely on the helicopter during the ill-fated flight.
“From what I know he entered the Kingdom of Heaven with his youngest son and his ex-wife. I’ll miss you [Cesar]! Thank you for your patience and your soft-spoken personality. God speed.”
Cesar Lerma was not only a devoted father but also the owner of Pro-Carpentry, a business based in Pearland, Texas, specializing in kitchen and bath remodeling services.
The company’s Facebook page showcases Lerma’s commitment to quality craftsmanship and customer satisfaction, highlighting his role as an important figure in the local community.
The investigation into the crash is being conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The helicopter struck the radio tower near Engelke Street and Ennis Streets around 7:50 p.m. after taking off from Ellington Airport in Houston.
In the wake of the incident, the Houston Fire Technical Rescue Team has been on-site to recover parts of the helicopter from the tower to assist the NTSB in reconstructing the events leading up to the crash. Investigators are currently reviewing the pilot’s records to piece together what transpired that fateful night.
SBA Communications, the owner of the tower, has announced that they are cooperating fully with authorities during the investigation. The crash has sent shockwaves through the community, raising concerns about aviation safety and the need for stringent regulations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
As the investigation unfolds, the families of the victims, including Lerma’s, are left to grapple with their loss and seek answers about the circumstances surrounding the accident
