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The Shocking Truth: 5 Things That Happened To Jim Gardner Of News 9 (And His Mysterious 2025 Connection)

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For over two decades, Jim Gardner was the eyes in the sky for Oklahoma City, a legendary helicopter pilot whose voice was instantly recognizable on KWTV News 9's "Bob Mills Sky News 9." His daring and often dramatic aerial coverage of tornadoes, police chases, and breaking news made him a local icon. However, his tenure ended abruptly, leading to years of speculation among viewers about his true fate.

As of December 20, 2025, the full story of Jim Gardner’s departure is more complex than a simple retirement announcement. It involves a series of high-profile, career-ending incidents, a controversial suspension, and a surprising new career path that has kept him connected to the world of aviation, even hinting at an unexpected "2025" accolade.

Jim Gardner: Biography and Career Profile

It is important to first clarify that the Jim Gardner of News 9 (KWTV Oklahoma City) is a different person from the legendary Philadelphia Action News anchor, Jim Gardner (James Goldman), who retired in 2022. The KWTV pilot is an aviation veteran with a storied career before he ever flew over Oklahoma.

  • Full Name: Jim Gardner (Helicopter Pilot)
  • Primary Role at News 9: Helicopter Pilot and Airborne Reporter for "Bob Mills Sky News 9" (KWTV)
  • Aviation Career Start: Began his aviation journey in Los Angeles in 1985
  • Previous News Roles: Chief pilot for KCAL Channel 9 in Los Angeles, where he covered major events like the O.J. Simpson chase and trial, the L.A. riots, and devastating earthquakes. He also flew for KFOR Channel 4 in Oklahoma City before joining KWTV.
  • Total Flight Hours: An accomplished Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) who has logged over 14,000 hours in various military, commercial, and general aviation aircraft.
  • Departure from News 9: Circa 2014/2015, following several high-profile incidents.
  • Current Career: Aviation Consultant, Professional Speaker, and Aviation Insurance Specialty Broker.

The Shocking Incidents That Led to His News 9 Departure

Jim Gardner's time at News 9 was marked by both spectacular journalism and several terrifying close calls, culminating in a controversial separation from the station. His departure was not a typical, celebratory retirement, but rather a sudden stepping down following a series of incidents that reportedly made him an "insurance risk."

1. The "Brick-Sized" Hail Incident

One of the most famous and harrowing incidents occurred when Gardner was covering a deadly Oklahoma tornado. While airborne, the Bob Mills Sky News 9 helicopter took a direct hit from what was described as "brick-sized" hail. The impact shattered the aircraft's windshield, hitting Jim Gardner directly while he was flying. This footage became instantly viral, showcasing the extreme danger of storm chasing from the air.

2. The Wiley Post Airport Crash/Damage

A separate, highly publicized incident involved the Sky News 9 helicopter crashing or sustaining significant damage at Wiley Post Airport. Reports suggest the aircraft was damaged while Gardner and photojournalist Tim Young were aboard. While both were reported to be okay, the loss and damage of the news helicopter were a major blow to the station’s aerial capabilities and raised serious questions about the circumstances.

3. The Alleged "Racing" Suspension

Adding to the controversy, Jim Gardner was reportedly suspended from News 9 for a period following an unrelated incident. Sources indicated the suspension was tied to a video that allegedly showed Gardner "racing the plane" in the Sky News 9 aircraft. While the video was reportedly pulled shortly after surfacing, the suspension was a clear signal of internal issues between the pilot and station management.

4. Stepping Down as an "Insurance Risk"

While the official statement from the station was a quiet retirement, the widely accepted conclusion in the Oklahoma media landscape is that the accumulation of these high-risk incidents—the hail damage, the crash, and the suspension—ultimately led to his forced departure. The cost and liability associated with insuring a pilot involved in multiple high-profile incidents made him an "insurance risk," which led to him having to step down from his role as the chief helicopter pilot.

Where Is Jim Gardner Now? (His Current Career and Mysterious 2025 Date)

Since his departure from KWTV News 9, Jim Gardner has not left the world of aviation or public life. He has successfully transitioned his decades of experience into a multi-faceted career, proving that a setback can lead to a new takeoff.

From Pilot to Aviation Consultant and Speaker

Today, Jim Gardner leverages his 14,000+ flight hours and extensive experience covering some of the nation's biggest news stories to consult and speak publicly. His current professional activities include:

  • Aviation Consulting: Providing expert advice on helicopter operations, safety protocols, and aerial news gathering.
  • Professional Speaking Engagements: Sharing his incredible stories of flying through hurricanes, covering the O.J. Simpson chase, and surviving the "brick-sized" hail incident.
  • Educational Events: Participating in K-12 school visits and college engagements to promote STEM, aviation, and safety to the next generation of pilots and journalists.
  • Aviation Insurance Specialty Broker: He also maintains a separate career in the aviation insurance industry, utilizing his deep knowledge of aircraft and risk management.

The Mysterious 2025 Retirement and Award

The most intriguing and current piece of information about Jim Gardner is the conflicting timeline on his professional websites. Despite leaving News 9 around 2014, one source states he "remained until retiring in 2025." Furthermore, he is listed as a recipient of the "2025 Pinnacle Award from the Aviation Insurance Association" and a nominee for a "2025 HEARTLAND EMMY® AWARD NOMINEE" for his work as a Helicopter Pilot.

While the 2025 retirement date is highly likely to be a persistent typo, the mentions of the 2025 awards are fresh and suggest that even years after his dramatic exit from KWTV, Jim Gardner’s legacy and contributions to aviation journalism and safety are still being recognized at the highest levels. This ongoing recognition confirms that the veteran pilot's career is far from over, even if his days flying the Bob Mills Sky News 9 helicopter are a closed chapter in Oklahoma news history.

what happened to jim gardner news 9
what happened to jim gardner news 9

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