KAREN KEY CHOPPER PILOT IN DENVER (1982) 

I met Karen at a media bash a week before her death. I was a reporter for a regional radio network. I remember being shaken up by her death and being immensely curious about the circumstances surrounding it. I have read the FAA Accident investigation report about the crash. I really liked her when we briefly met and chatted. I'm still sad she didn't use better judgement about taking a trip the other Denver TV chopper pilots refused to take.

I remember this story. I was 7 years old at the time. I mostly watched 9NEWS but I liked to switch over and catch channel 4's sports report. Sad that she lost her life trying to help others. Very brave young lady.

She flew to my elementary school in 1982. She was killed soon after. RIP.

I remember Karen Key, but spaced her story. That's a real tragedy about her copter crash. RIP.

I stumbled across this I remember her she had the heart the size of Texas she is most caring individual I've ever met I was in high school back then I remember talking to her she was a really cool person in a really nice person I'm glad I found this she was really really really cool that's all I can say

What one can find on RU-vid never ceases to amaze. I was in Boulder, CO in 1982, attending the University of Colorado. I went to the Santa event, which is briefly chronicled in the first clip of this montage, where KOA-TV pilot-reporter Karen Key brought Saint Nick in her helicopter to a crowd of children. I took maybe two or three dozen still photos of Ms. Key, including her landing and taking off. What a tragedy. From all I have been able to read since stumbling across this video, she used bad judgment by leaving a social event, where she had been drinking, to fly out on a search mission in heavy winter weather - snow and ice. In retrospect, incredibly irresponsible. I note in this clip that Mr. Conrad includes KOA anchors coming to her defense regarding her piloting skills, but nothing is offered to explain her flying drunk in those conditions - killing not only herself but her mechanic. I don't recall much of the coverage back then, but I do remember the blonde chopper pilot bringing Santa to Boulder ... long, long ago.

From the 3:31 mark to the 4:30 mark, what was that background music? It sounds awesome. Sounds like the Alan Parsons Project

At 4:23, The Eagle Will Rise By The Alan Parsons Project (1978)

Why doesn't this discuss the fact that she was drunk and shouldn't have flown this day in the first place?