Helicopter crash in Garfield County.

[Knocker of rocks]

Young man that passed was 19yo...ugh...so sad.

39

[emac]

I think they might of got the story wrong. I dont think there was any wdfw bios on board or any wdfw employees. I do believe the 3 on board were private contractors but regardless its a shame. They shouldn't of even been flying that day with how hard the wind was blowing

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

[Knocker of rocks]

I think they might of got the story wrong. I dont think there was any wdfw bios on board or any wdfw employees.

Yes, this mornings Seattle Times does not mention their employment status.  I think if they were state employees, that would have been stated.

[WAcoyotehunter]

They were contractors for the WDFW, not employees.  Really sad deal,  Kiwi is a top notch outfit, I'm curious to see what happened to the aircraft.

[pianoman9701]

Horrible accident. You couldn't pay me enough to get in an R22 or 44.

[pianoman9701]

It kind of looks like an MD though, doesn't it?

[Knocker of rocks]

It kind of looks like an MD though, doesn't it?

Sure does.  And their website says they only have Robinson craft
http://www.kiwiairhelicopters.com/home.html

[pianoman9701]

It kind of looks like an MD though, doesn't it?

Sure does.  And their website says they only have Robinson craft
http://www.kiwiairhelicopters.com/home.html

They may only use Robinsons for the tourists and have the 500 for gov't work. It's really sad, either way.

[Bob33]

The Federal Aviation Administration said the Hughes 369D aircraft crashed due to “unknown circumstances.”

The National Transportation Safety Board, WSP and FAA are leading the investigation.

A previous version of this story erroneously stated three Department of Wildlife biologists were on board the helicopter, due to a source’s error.

[pianoman9701]

Thanks Bob.

[jackelope]

(Title of thread edited)

[jackelope]

January 29, 2018
 Contact: Kevin Robinette, 509-892-7859

Helicopter crash in eastern Washington kills 1, injures 2 during deer research

SPOKANE – A private helicopter flying under contract with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) for a mule deer study crashed Saturday, Jan. 27, in Garfield County, killing one member of the crew and injuring two others.

The Washington State Patrol confirmed today that the crash took the life of Benjamin M. Poirier, 19, Berthoud, Colo., a crew member in the helicopter. The pilot, Blake Malo, 33, Clarkston, and the third crew member, Garrett Bradshaw, 30, Eagle Point Ore., were taken from the crash site to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Lewiston.

All three men were employed by Hells Canyon Helicopters, which operated the aircraft.

"This is a tragic accident that will be deeply felt not only by the families but by members of our own staff who have worked with this dedicated crew," said WDFW Director Jim Unsworth.

Kevin Robinette, regional WDFW wildlife manager, said the accident occurred about 20 miles northwest of Pomeroy, where the helicopter crew was working with ground-based state biologists to capture and attach radio collars to mule deer to study the animals' movement and survival.

Robinette said Saturday marked the first day of fieldwork in the Blue Mountains, where biologists plan to eventually collar up to 50 deer, said. WDFW staff monitored the operation from the ground and drove a fuel truck to support the flights. 

On Saturday afternoon, a WDFW biologist alerted law enforcement officials when a smartphone app tracking the flight showed the aircraft had stopped moving, Robinette said.

The crash is being investigated by state and local law enforcement agencies and the National Transportation Safety Board.

Robinette said the contractor recently completed similar work in the Okanogan region of north-central Washington, where the crew attached collars to about 80 does during several days of flying.