A private helicopter crashed into a lake on Alaska’s North Slope near Utkiagwik on Thursday, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Friday, killing the pilot and three passengers.
Officials are investigating the cause of the accident and where it was coming from.
The three people killed nearby were employees of the Geological and Geophysical Survey Department who were on their fieldwork and were returning after completing their work.
NTSB Alaska Chief Clint Johnson said four people were on board the Bell 206L-4 vessel, owned by Maritime Helicopters in Homer.
Johnson said the helicopter was returning from a mission to Utkiagwik, but it was unclear where it was coming from.
Johnson said North Slope search and rescue teams found the downed helicopter partially submerged in a shallow lake, and that “the Marine helicopters lost contact via electronic tracking systems around 7 or 8 p.m. Thursday, which led to the late call.”
The Alaska Department of Natural Resources said in a Facebook post: “[We] A search and rescue effort was launched last night through the North Slope Borough Search and Rescue Department in coordination with the Alaska Department of Public Safety.”
“DNR has been notified that a search and rescue effort has found helicopter wreckage in a lake that matches the description of the delayed aircraft, and the NTSB reports that they are investigating a helicopter crash near Utkiagwick.”
“At this time we have no additional information to share. The DNR is praying for our crew and pilot, their families, and the DNR team. We await updates from the search and rescue effort.”
North Slope Borough Director of External Affairs DJ Foske said: “North Slope Borough Search and Rescue is investigating the accident with the help of the NTSB, and has also notified the Federal Aviation Administration and other relevant departments about the accident.”
