Pilot in Graham Crash Had Been Warned of Poor Weather

SAN FRANCISCO —  The pilot of the helicopter that crashed into a Northern California electric transmission tower, killing rock music promoter Bill Graham, was warned by air traffic controllers not to fly because of poor weather.

Federal authorities said two taped conversations between pilot Steve Kahn and the flight service station at Oakland International Airport show that controllers recommended that Kahn not fly without instruments, according to safety board investigators.

Although an experienced pilot, Kahn was not rated to fly helicopters on instruments, according to Pat Walter, a Novato pilot who knew Kahn. The Bell Jet Ranger II was not equipped for instrument flying, Walter said.

“It was just a recommendation,” said Gary Mucho, regional director of the National Transportation Safety Board in Los Angeles. “The decision to fly is entirely up to the pilot.”

Authorities had previously said driving rain and fog Friday night may have contributed to the crash that killed Graham, 60, Kahn, 42, and Graham’s companion, Melissa Gold, 48. The group was returning from a Huey Lewis concert in Concord when the accident happened.

The helicopter crashed into a 200-foot Pacific Gas and Electric Co. transmission tower near Sears Point Raceway in Sonoma County. Federal Aviation Administration officials believe that Kahn was flying close to California 37 to see road lights because of poor visibility caused by low clouds and heavy rain.