Unearthing The Undead 11 - BUD HOFFMAN Bernard "Bud" Hoffman was the helicopter pilot, seen flying the KQV copter in "Night of the Living Dead".
He was a Pilot in the United States Air Force. After he was honorably discharged, he became a member of Steamfitters Local #449 in Pittsburgh. He was later employed by Miller Aviation, where he was a flight instructor in both helicopter and fixed wing. In 1989, he retired in Las Vegas, NV.
On Feb 2, 1966, while flying the KQV helicopter over the Allegheny River, the chopper clipped a telephone wire and was forced to land on the ice-jammed river in Armstrong County. Bud, along with WIIC-TV reporter Adam Lynch and cameraman Steve Hutsko were able to walk away after making their way ashore near East Brady, a town north-west of Kittang. Hutsko was slightly injured with some face cuts, but the accident report states the passengers were not wearing seatbelts and one was nearly thrown out of the copter.
Researched and compiled by John Vullo
Text and photos Image Ten, Inc.
If you know of any family, friends or acquaintances that appeared as extras in the original Night of the Living Dead, please contact John Vullo at jmv3683@gmail.com