5 people were killed and one injured in a helicopter crash at a glacier near Anchorage

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  AK21031918 Location: Knik Glacier Type: Aircraft Crash  

Dispatch Text:

Update 3/28 1650: The Alaska Army National Guard and volunteers from the Alaska Mountain Rescue Group have recovered the deceased from the helicopter crash site near Knik Glacier. Next of kin for the deceased have been notified, and they are identified as:

• 52-year-old Colorado resident Gregory Harms
• 56-year-old Czech Republic resident Petr Kellner
• 50-year-old Czech Republic resident Benjamin Larochaix
• 38-year-old Girdwood, Alaska resident Sean McManamy
• 33-year-old Anchorage, Alaska resident  Zachary Russell (pilot) 

The injured passenger remains in serious but stable condition and is receiving medical care at an Anchorage area hospital. The helicopter was an Airbus AS350B3 owned by Soloy Helicopters of Wasilla, Alaska. The group is believed to have been heliskiing in the area. The NTSB will conduct an investigation into the cause of the crash. The deceased have been turned over to the Alaska State Medical Examiner. The Temporary Flight Restriction that was in place over the Knik Glacier area has been lifted.

The Alaska State Troopers would like to thank the volunteers from the Alaska Mountain Rescue Group and our partners at the Alaska Army National Guard for their assistance in the recovery operations.

 

Update 3/28 1211: A temporary flight restriction is currently in place from 1100 hrs 3/28 to 1100 hrs 3/29 near Knik Glacier for a recovery mission. Pilots should avoid the area. More information and detailed coordinates can be found at: https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_1_1372.html

Original: On March 27, 2021, at approximately 2200 hours, Alaska State Troopers were notified of an overdue helicopter and the location of possible crash debris in the area of Knik Glacier. The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center dispatched a rescue team who located the crash site. The rescuers found a sole survivor at the crash site and transported the individual for medical care; the survivor is currently in serious but stable condition. Five other occupants of the helicopter were found deceased. The Alaska State Troopers, Alaska Army National Guard, and Alaska Mountain Rescue Group will attempt recovery efforts at the crash site today. Next of kin notifications are ongoing. The NTSB will be conducting an investigation into the cause of the crash.

Posted on 3/28/2021 9:59:52 AM by DPS\ajmcdaniel

Posting Section: B Detachment

https://dailydispatch.dps.alaska.gov/Home/DisplayIncident?incidentNumber=AK21031918

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