Remains of Helicopter Crash Victims Recovered From Alaska Lake

This photo provided by North Slope Borough shows an aerial view of a shallow lake where a helicopter crashed on Alaska's North Slope near Utqiagvik, Alaska, on July 20, 2023. (North Slope Borough via AP)

Search and rescue officials in Alaska have recovered the bodies of four Americans who died in a helicopter crash last week when it went down in a shallow lake located in the northernmost borough of the state.

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) mourned the loss of the victims in a statement on July 23, saying three scientists of the agency’s Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys (DGGS) were conducting field survey work outside the city of Utqiaġvik at the time of the crash.

“It is with very heavy hearts we announce the loss of DGGS employees Ronnie Daanen, Justin Germann and Tori Moore, along with pilot Tony Higdon,” the department said. “DNR will remain in close contact with their families, and continue to offer our prayers and condolences to all of their loved ones.”

“The Department is beginning the process of grieving for our colleagues, supporting our team through this challenging time, and working with partner agencies to learn everything we can about this incident,” it added.

The cause of the crash is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board.

In a statement on July 23, the Maritime Helicopters company extended its condolences to the victims’ families, saying the “entire Maritime family is deeply saddened by this tragedy” that included the loss of Mr. Higdon, one of the company’s pilots.

“We all knew Tony as the consummate professional and a skilled pilot. He will be greatly missed,” the company said.

Maritime Helicopters also pledged to help with the investigation. “We will continue to work closely with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in their investigation as they search for answers in this accident. Our mission will continue to focus first and foremost on a total commitment to safety as we resume operations,” the company said.

The company said the aircraft that went down for reasons currently unknown was a 1996 Bell 206 helicopter.

The only way to raise the wreckage will be to use another helicopter because it’s in the middle of one of the many lakes scattered across the vast tundra, said Clint Johnson, the chief of the NTSB’s Alaska region.

“In Alaska, here during the fire season, commercial helicopters are at a premium. So we are having challenges getting a helicopter to do the work,” Mr. Johnson said on July 23.

The wreckage was found near the small coastal town of Wainwright, which is about 50 miles south of Utqiaġvik—the northernmost city in the United States formerly known as Barrow. The flight originated in Utqiagvik and was supposed to return there.

Volunteers from the Alaska Dive Search, Rescue, and Recovery team arrived at the crash site around 10:45 p.m. on July 22 and recovered the bodies at about 6 a.m. on July 23.

Authorities have said the aircraft likely will not be raised from the middle of the 1-mile-wide lake until July 24 or July 25, given the lack of available helicopters.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

From NTD News