3 state biologists, pilot die in copter crash
The pilot of the helicopter is believed to be dead as well, authorities said, but his body has not been located despite a search in rough terrain by rescuers from several local and state agencies.
Fish and Game Warden Patrick Foy said the helicopter went down about 12:30 p.m. near Redinger Lake in Madera County, along the Fresno County border. The crash site is in the Sierra National Forest, about 25 miles from the southern edge of Yosemite.
The helicopter, a Bell 206B owned and operated by Landells Aviation of Desert Hot Springs (Riverside County) - also known as Palm Springs Aviation - had four people aboard, including the pilot.
An official for Landells Aviation, who declined to give his name, said the company was "anxiously awaiting word" from authorities on the status of the pilot.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Fish and Game had halted all surveys and animal captures done by helicopter until further notice.
"This is a devastating tragedy," Schwarzenegger said in a statement. "We send our thoughts and prayers to the families and friends of the victims."
The Madera County Sheriff's Department said a pair of U.S. Forest Service police officers had seen the helicopter fly into a 220-kilovolt electrical transmission line and crash.
"They were roughly 90 to 100 yards away from the incident," said Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Erica Stuart.
Debris spread over a quarter-mile area.
Ian Gregor, a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration, confirmed that officials were looking into whether the helicopter had hit the power line. The agency and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash.
The biologists, who have not been identified, were estimating the size and health of the local deer population in an effort to develop strategies for managing the animals, Foy said.
He said the work carried a measure of danger because pilots had to fly at low altitude, but that Landells Aviation had years of experience in the area.
"I've personally flown with these guys probably 50 to 60 times in their helicopters and they've always been great pilots, very competent," Foy said.
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