MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A friend of the Waco Oil & Gas pilot killed in last week’s helicopter crash in Pocahontas County first heard the news on the radio.
Drew Nieman said he was listening to the WAJR station in Morgantown on July 10 when he heard about the crash. Nieman is the owner of the Full Throttle Auto & Aviation Spa, a detailing company on the grounds of the Morgantown Municipal Airport.
Nieman said he was listening to the radio that day while talking to his wife on the phone. He wasn’t sure what he heard, so when he ended the call, he focused on the news, hoping it wasn’t something that happened in this area.
“I started listening, and with me being at the airport, I hope it isn’t anything local,” Nieman said. “It just caught the tail end of it, unfortunately. To hear it was a Waco Oil & Gas pilot, I just had a sick feeling in my stomach.”
The victim was Nieman’s friend, Leo Basile, 57, of Arthurdale. Basile died in the crash last Friday that remains under investigation.
Nieman said he and Basile were both thrill seekers, which caused a lot of worry for their mothers. Leo Basile, of Arthurdale, died in a helicopter crash last Friday in Pocahontas County that remains under investigation.
Nieman said he considered Leo to be a big brother that he shared many passions with.
“I’m going to say from a mom’s eye, dangerous sports and things,” Nieman said. “Dirt bikes, motorcycles, and things like that, (and then) with Leo flying, our moms got to vent a lot to one another.”
Nieman posted a tribute on social media where he went into detail about the impact Basile had on his life and his family. In the more than 100 reactions to the post, many reflected about meeting someone who was caring and unique, with a spirit for adventure.
“You can look back at your life and see all you’ve done and what gave you the most thrills and what gave you the most thrills,” Nieman said. “That’s something we both shared: a passion for cars, motorcycles, and speed.”
Nieman has been in the detailing business for nine years and started talking to Basile about the aviation side of the business. With advice from Basile, Nieman opened the shop on the grounds of Morgantown Municipal Airport in April of 2025.
“He was my mentor on how to break into aviation and gave me a quick rundown in his helicopter, showing me the do’s and don’ts,” Nieman said.
Leo had a profound impact on Nieman’s life in many professional ways, but also personally. Leo also had a major impact on Nieman’s son, who will attend Glenville State University in the fall.
Basile gave Nieman’s son his first helicopter ride and helped him make the decision to attend GSU. Before the crash, Basile promised to “keep an eye” on the young freshman.
“He was one of a kind. One thing that comes to mind is he was an old soul; he just had a way with words,” Nieman said. “He would cut up with you, and at the same time he would give the shirt off of his back for you.”