Sightseeing Helicopter Crash Kills Five In Pigeon Forge
Five people have been killed as the result of a sightseeing helicopter crash in the Pigeon Forge/Sevierville area of East Tennessee. This happened today about 3:30pm. It has been reported by emergency responders on the scene that there is little left of the helicopter due to the crash and a fire at the scene in the woods. Multiple agencies responded including several local area Fire Departments as well as the Tennessee Forestry Division. The fire from the crash scene has spread to the surrounding wooded area at the crash site. There are reports by witnesses of
an explosion and seeing fire after the helicopter crashed in the treetops and fell to the ground. The FAA is reporting that the helicopter was a Bell 206 sightseeing helicopter from Smoky Mountain Helicopters. More information will be released as it becomes available. The identity of those killed has not been made public. Several area news teams are reporting near the scene of the crash in East Tennessee. The crash scene is on Rainbow Road in Sevierville in Sevier County. The scenic helicopter tours of Pigeon Forge and the Great Smoky Mountains is a popular attraction.
4/6/16 Update:
The five people who died in the sightseeing helicopter crash have been identified. They are Jason Dahl, 38, of Sevierville who was the pilot. Mother Johna Morvant, 49, of Kodak, TN; her daughter Peyton Rasmussen, age 22 and son, Parker Rasmussen, 18 of Huntersville, North Carolina. Also killed was the daughter’s boyfriend Michael Glenn Mastalez, 21, of Prosper, Texas.
Sightseeing Helicopter Crash East Tennessee (photo from WVLT)
The helicopter did not have a black box or other recording device. Due to the extensive damage to the helicopter officials say it may take a year to investigate and discover what happened. Both the FAA and the NTSB were at the site on Tuesday.
Watch news report by USA Today on youtube…
