Grand Canyon Helicopter Accident: Pilot Killed, Cause Of Crash Unknown

In a Grand Canyon helicopter accident on Sunday, a pilot who worked for a well known tour company was killed when his aircraft crashed in the Grand Canyon. The pilot, who is yet to be identified by authorities, apparently lost control of the 2014 Eurocopter AS350, which rolled onto its side as he was maneuvering it.

Fortunately, there were no passengers on board when the accident occurred near to the Grand Canyon West airport,

Brenda Halvorson, president and CEO of Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters, said in a statement:

“Our thoughts and prayers are with our colleague’s family and loved ones. This is a difficult time for our Papillon family. We are fully cooperating with the NTSB investigation.”

Authorities from the airport, which is operated by the Hualapai Indian Tribe, are investigating the circumstances which led to the Grand Canyon helicopter crash. A tribal spokesman referred all questions to the National Transportation Safety Board which is also carrying out an investigation.

The Federal Aviation Administration reported that the pilot was re-positioning the helicopter at the bottom of the Canyon when the accident happened. When the helicopter rolled onto its side, the pilot was killed instantly.

The FAA, along with the airport authorities and the National Transportation Safety Board, arrived at the scene of the Grand Canyon helicopter crash on Monday morning to carry out a full investigation into the cause of the crash, which is unknown at the moment.

It is not clear whether alcohol or foul play had any part, in the fatal crash, but it seems to be a case of either a mechanical malfunction or human error.