Nichols Brothers fined for death


July 3, 2008 · Updated 4:31 PM 

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A February accident that killed a Coupeville man has resulted in a $4,500 fine for Nichols Brothers Boat Builders.

The state’s Labor and Industries released the results of its six-month long investigation this week. Nichols was cited for four separate violations.

Matt Nichols, CEO of Nichols Brothers, did not return messages seeking comment.

Willie Dayton, 22, of Coupeville, died after an unmanned helicopter fell and crushed him. Workers were attempting to life the helicopter when an eyebolt snapped.

Northrup/Grumman, which owned the unmanned drone, was fined $1,500 for its role in the accident. A spokeswoman from Northrop/Grumman also did not return phone calls seeking comment.

According to the citation, a load is not to be suspended over the heads of employees, but at least four people were under the helicopter at some point.

Also, the load was tilted, which reduced the amount of weight the eyebolt could bear.

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