Six Dead After Helicopter Crashes in California, Officials Say
A helicopter carrying six people crashed and caught on fire on Friday night near the California-Nevada border, killing all of those aboard, the authorities said.
Details of the Crash
The crash happened on Friday night in California near the Nevada border, roughly 60 miles south of Las Vegas, according to authorities.
The Federal Aviation Administration reported that the Eurocopter EC130 helicopter crashed at around 10 p.m. local time near Nipton, Calif., an unincorporated community in eastern San Bernardino County, where it caught fire.
Witnesses stated that the crash occurred during rainy and wintry conditions. The names of the deceased will be released once their identities are confirmed and their families have been notified.
Flight Details
The charter flight departed from Palm Springs, Calif., at 8:45 p.m. local time and was en route to Boulder City, Nev. Michael Graham, a board member with the National Transportation Safety Board, stated in a news conference that the helicopter crashed near Halloran Springs, Calif., at approximately 10:08 p.m.
Onboard the helicopter were two crew members and four passengers, all of whom tragically lost their lives in the crash. The helicopter was operated by Orbic Air LLC, a company based in Burbank, Calif. It was last tracked near Barstow, Calif., at 9:49 p.m. according to FlightAware.
Both the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are currently conducting investigations to determine the cause of the crash.
Authorities Express Condolences
Michael Graham expressed his deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of the victims, stating, 'I'd like to express our deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in this terrible tragedy.'
As investigations continue, officials from Orbic Air LLC have confirmed that the helicopter crash occurred under adverse weather conditions. The investigation will shed more light on the specific circumstances leading to the crash.
Jack Begg has contributed to the research for this article while Anna Betts and Lola Fadulu have provided reporting on the incident. Anna Betts covers national events such as politics, education, and natural or man-made disasters, while Lola Fadulu focuses on reporting on the New York City region for The Times.
