Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Bell 429 GlobalRanger, registered to and operated by a private individual, N598PB: Fatal accident occurred February 15, 2017 in Shreveport, Louisiana

The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entities:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office: Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Louisiana 
Federal Aviation Administration AVP-100; Washington, District of Columbia
Federal Aviation Administration Rotorcraft Directorate; Dallas, Texas 

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf 

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms


http://registry.faa.gov/N598PB 


Location: Shreveport, LA
Accident Number: CEN17FA103
Date & Time: 02/15/2017, 0023 CST
Registration: N598PB
Aircraft: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON CANADA 429
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)
Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On February 15, 2017, at 0023 central standard time, a Bell 429 helicopter, N598PB, impacted terrain and water at Wallace Lake near Shreveport, Louisiana. The private rated pilot and passenger were both fatally injured. The helicopter was substantially damaged. The helicopter was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Dark night instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The flight originated from a field in Bossier City, Louisiana, and was en route to Center Municipal Airport (F17), Center, Texas.

The helicopter was in contact with air traffic control. When the helicopter disappeared from radar unexpectedly and did not respond to radio communications, it was the subject of an alert notice and was located on the afternoon of February 15. The wreckage was located at the southern end of Wallace Lake.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 54, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: Yes
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 05/26/2015
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 900 hours (Total, all aircraft), 30 hours (Total, this make and model) 

The pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for helicopter, airplane single-engine land, multi-engine land, and instrument airplane. His log books were not recovered during the investigation and the pilot's total time, and night experience is not known. While the pilot held a rating for instrument airplane, it is not known how much training the pilot obtained, if any, for an instrument helicopter rating.

On May 26, 2015, the pilot was issued a third-class medical certificate with the limitation that he "must wear correct lenses for near and distant vision." He reported no medication use.

The pilot attended the Bell Training Academy at the end of October 2016. During his training, he logged 9.2 hours of flight instruction of the Bell 429 to include operation of the auto pilot. In addition, he logged 5.2 hours of flight instruction in a flight training device which included Auto Pilot Operation, use of the on-board flight planning devices, and inadvertent flight into IMC. All maneuvers performed were evaluated to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Practical Test Standards Test tolerances.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON CANADA
Registration: N598PB
Model/Series: 429 NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Year of Manufacture: 2014
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 57249
Landing Gear Type: Skid
Seats: 5
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 10/27/2016, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.:
Time Since Last Inspection: 18 Hours
Engines: 2 Turbo Shaft
Airframe Total Time: 30 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: P&W CANADA
ELT:  C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: PW207D1
Registered Owner: BAILEY TERRY
Rated Power: 710 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

The Bell 429 intermediate helicopter is an eight-seat twin engine, Category A, single pilot IFR certified rotorcraft. It is equipped with autopilot and force trim systems. The force trim system uses a spring force to hold the flight controls to a detent position. The detent position can be moved anywhere in the control range by either releasing the fight control from the spring mechanism and re-engaging it in a different position, or by driving it to a new position using a motorized actuator. The pilot can also fly the controls without releasing the force trim, but in this case the pilot must work against the spring force to make control inputs. Force trim is required for the autopilot to couple to the flight director.

Complete maintenance logbooks were not recovered. Of the records located, a listing of scheduled maintenance inspections completed on October 31, 2016, reported the helicopter had accrued 12.1 total hours. The last annual inspection was performed on October 27, 2016, at a total time of 10.0 hours.

The pilot purchased the helicopter on July 1, 2016. The helicopter had accrued approximately 30 hours. 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Instrument Conditions
Condition of Light: Night/Dark
Observation Facility, Elevation: KSHV, 259 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 10 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1249 CST
Direction from Accident Site: 324°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Thin Broken / 1000 ft agl
Visibility:  7 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 1000 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 9 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction: 320°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 29.93 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 8°C / 7°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Bossier City, LA
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Center, TX (F17)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time:
Type of Airspace: 

A weather study was conducted by a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Meteorologist. At 2356, an automated weather reporting station located at Shreveport Municipal Airport (KSHV), Shreveport, Louisiana, 10 nautical miles north of the accident site, reported wind from 320° at 11 knots, visibility 4 statute miles with light drizzle and mist, a broken ceiling at 700 ft, overcast at 1,300 ft, temperature 45° F, dew point 45° F, and a barometric pressure of 29.93 inches. There was a remark that drizzle began at 2251, and the ceiling varied between 500 ft and 900 ft.

At 0049, the same station reported a wind from 320° at 9 knots, visibility 7 miles, a broken ceiling at 1,000 ft, overcast at 1,400 ft. There was a remark that drizzle ended at 0047.

A review of data from the closest National Weather Service Surveillance Radar-1988, Doppler, located at KSHV, found that near the accident site at the accident time, conditions were conducive for IMC and drizzle. There were no lightning strikes around the accident site at the accident time.

Two Airmen's Meteorological Information (AIRMET) were issued at 2045 CST on February 14, for forecasted instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions due to precipitation and mist, and possible moderate turbulence below 8,000 ft. Both AIRMETs were valid until 0900 on February 15.

The phase of the Moon was waning gibbous with 78% of the Moon's visible disk illuminated. With the extensive cloud cover above the accident site at the accident time, the Moon would not have been visible.

A search of official weather briefings sources did not locate a pilot's request for weather prior to the accident flight.

The complete weather study report is located in the docket of this report. 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Fire: On-Ground
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 32.311389, -93.705556 

Damage to several trees and a large crater were consistent with the helicopter's impact with terrain. The debris field fanned out about 20° either side of a 320° magnetic heading for about 80 yards in a marshy area of Wallace Lake. There was evidence of a post-impact fire in the debris field. The helicopter was fragmented in multiple location and scattered throughout the debris field. The main wreckage consisted of the fuselage and main rotor hub which came to rest near the end of the debris field.

The helicopter was removed from the marsh and transported to the shore for documentation and examination. The examination did not reveal any preimpact anomalies with the helicopter. The helicopter's display unit (DU) retains non-volatile memory and was sent to Bell Helicopter, Fort Worth, Texas, for download.

Display Unit Download

Under the auspices of the NTSB and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the DU was downloaded and the information plotted. A review of the information revealed that the helicopter lifted off and departed a field near the Horseshoe Casino, Bossier City, Louisiana, at 0015. The helicopter departed to the southwest and then flew near the Red River, as it headed to the southeast, and maintained an altitude between 800 to 1,000 ft mean sea level (msl). At 0019, the helicopter made a right turn and flew to the southwest. As the helicopter tracked southwest on a 230° heading, the altitude dropped to about 600 ft msl or 500 ft above ground level (agl). At 0022, the helicopter turned 30° bank left turn. The helicopter descended in the turn to about 420 ft agl, before it pitched up to 40° nose high, resulting in 2,500 ft per minute (fpm) climb to 1,470 msl (1,386 agl). The helicopter momentarily stabilized on a 055° heading. At 0023:00 then exceeded a 45° left bank and the pitch exceeded 40° nose low. The time of the last capture was 0023:13, with the helicopter traveling 167 knots and descending more than 8,800 fpm. Control inputs were performed by the pilot up to and including the last capture.

During the flight, no problems with airframe or engine control inputs were detected. Data captured revealed that the pilot flew a majority of the accident with the Force Trim off. He also did not select any flight director modes. At 0022:46 (27 seconds prior to impact), the pilot armed the airspeed hold mode. The pilot's action would have presented him flight director commands, but due to the Force Trim being off, the autopilot could not engage to hold this mode. At 0022:56 (18 seconds prior to impact), the pilot turned on the Force Trim. However, the pilot did not reselect an attitude mode for the autopilot to engage to a mode. The manufacturer recommends turning on Force Trim shortly after takeoff.

Communications

About 0017, an air traffic controller from KSHV contacted the pilot since the helicopter had entered Class C airspace. The controller informed the pilot of the Class C airspace and the pilot proceeded on course to F17. No radar services were provided, and no distress call was recorded.

Medical And Pathological Information

Due to the condition of the remains, the De Soto Parish Coroner's Office, Mansfield, Louisiana, was not able to perform an autopsy.

The FAA's Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed toxicology testing on samples from the pilot. Testing was negative for ethanol. Testing detected amphetamine, dihydrododeine, nordiazepam, oxazepam, and temazepam.

Amphetamine is a Schedule II controlled substance available by prescription that stimulates the central nervous system available by prescription for the treatment of attention deficit disorder (ADD) and narcolepsy. Dihydrocodeine is an active metabolite of hydrocodone, a Schedule II opioid medication.

According to records obtained from the pilot's primary care physician, he had a longstanding diagnosis of attention deficit disorder and had been treated with Vyvanse since before April 2015, (the first available visit record). He also had a history of joint pain for which he intermittently used hydrocodone. In 2015, he had an obstructing kidney stone and had been given a prescription for diazepam. His last visit was on January 24, 2017, for a review of his attention deficit disorder and mildly elevated blood pressure. No comment was made in the physician's record regarding any symptoms from the ADD or the effectiveness of the medication.

Additional Information

Spatial Disorientation

The FAA Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, chapter 16, "Aeromedical Factors," stated, "Under normal flight conditions, when there is a visual reference to the horizon and ground, the sensory system in the inner ear helps to identify the pitch, roll, and yaw movements of the aircraft. When visual contact with the horizon is lost, the vestibular system becomes unreliable. Without visual references outside the aircraft, there are many situations in which normal motions and forces create convincing illusions that are difficult to overcome…Unless a pilot has many hours of training in instrument flight, flight should be avoided in reduced visibility or at night when the horizon is not visible. A pilot can reduce susceptibility to disorienting illusions through training and awareness and learning to rely totally on flight instruments."

At the time of this report's creation, the FAA's Helicopter Flying Handbook, FAA-H-8083-21A, dated 2017, does not contain a section on spatial disorientation.

Inadvertent Entry into IMC

The FAA's Helicopter Flying Handbook, FAA-H-8083-21A, dated 2017, chapter 12, page 4, states, "Deteriorating weather is even harder to detect at night…". In addition, 5 basic steps "that every pilot should be ultimately familiar with and should be executed immediately after inadvertently entering IMC.

1. Attitude—level the wings on the attitude indicator, both pitch and bank.
2. Heading—pick a heading that is known to be free of obstacles and maintain it. This may be 180° from your current heading.
3. Power—adjust to a climb power setting.
4. Airspeed—adjust to a climb airspeed.
5. Trim—maintain coordinated flight so that an unusual attitude will not develop.

Workload Management

The FAA's Helicopter Flying Handbook, FAA-H-8083-21A, dated 2017, chapter 14, "Effective Aeronautical Decision-Making," states, "Another important part of managing workload is recognizing a work overload situation. The first effect of high workload is that a pilot begins to work faster. As workload increases, attention cannot be devoted to several tasks at one time, and a pilot may begin to focus on one item. When a pilot becomes task saturated, there is no awareness of additional inputs from various sources, so decisions may be made on incomplete information, and the possibility of error increases. A very good example of this is inadvertent IMC. Once entering into bad weather, work overload becomes immediate. Mentally, the pilot must transition from flying outside of the aircraft to flying inside the aircraft. Losing all visual references can cause sensory overload and the ability to think rationally is gone. Instead of trusting the aircrafts instruments, pilots try to hang on to the little visual references that they have and forget all about the other factors surrounding them. Instead of slowing the helicopter down they increase airspeed. Because they are looking down for visual references they forget about the hazards in front of them and finally, because they are not looking at the flight instruments, the aircraft is not level. All of this can be avoided by proper training and proper planning. If going inadvertent IMC is your only course of action, pilots must commit to it and fly the helicopter using only the flight instruments and not trying to follow what little visual references they have."

NTSB Identification: CEN17FA103
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Wednesday, February 15, 2017 in Shreveport, LA
Aircraft: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON CANADA 429, registration: N598PB
Injuries: 2 Fatal.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

On February 15, 2017, about 0025 central standard time, a Bell 429 helicopter, N598PB, impacted terrain and water at Wallace Lake near Shreveport, Louisiana. The private rated pilot and passenger were both fatally injured, and the helicopter was substantially damaged. The helicopter was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Instrument metrological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The flight originated from a field in Bossier City, Louisiana, about 0015 and was en route to Center Municipal Airport (F17), Center, Texas.

The helicopter was the subject of an alert notice and was located the afternoon of February 15. The wreckage was located at the southern end of Wallace Lake. The first impact point consisted of tree strikes followed by an impact crater in a muddy area just prior to the lake. The debris field generally followed a 320° heading and was about 200 feet long in a muddy area of the lake. The main wreckage consisted of the engines, top of the fuselage and the main rotor blades. All major helicopter components were located at the accident site.

The helicopter was documented on-scene and recovered to a secure facility.

At 0049, an automated weather reporting facility at Shreveport Regional Airport, about 10 miles northwest of the accident site, recorded a wind from 320° at 9 knots, visibility 7 miles, a broken ceiling at 1,000 ft, an overcast ceiling at 1,400 ft, temperature 46° F, dew point 45° F, a barometric pressure of 29.93 inches, and a remark for a variable ceiling from 600 ft to 1,400 ft.

Terry and Pam Bailey



Terry and Pamela Bailey


DESOTO PARISH, LA (KSLA) -

Authorities have recovered the remains of the pilot and passenger killed in the crash of a helicopter in Wallace Lake.

The bodies of two people have been recovered in a deadly helicopter crash in DeSoto Parish.

DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Office confirms that the remains were recovered around 9 p.m. on Wednesday.

The investigation continues into the crash that is believed to have claimed the lives of a couple from Center, TX. 

DeSoto Sheriff Rodney Arbuckle says that belief is based on information from relatives of Terry and Pamela Bailey, along with the registration information connected to the Bell B429 that crashed into the lake late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning. 

"We believe that to be (the case), but the positive ID would have to come through the coroner's office," said the sheriff, whose deputies are guarding the crash site until the wreckage can be removed.  

Family members have told the sheriff's office that the Baileys had flown to Horseshoe Casino in Bossier City for a Valentine's Day dinner. 

"They departed from there and didn't make it home." 

Officials with the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board were on the scene at 8 a.m on the lake that straddles Caddo and DeSoto parishes. 

DeSoto sheriff's Capt. Jayson Richardson said the couple was flying in the helicopter at a top speed of 178 miles per hour. 

The wreckage was spotted around 1 p.m. Wednesday after crews were battling overgrowth of giant Salvinia to find it.

The crash left a trail through the trees and seemed to have crashed at a high rate of speed. Fire still was burning late Wednesday night as efforts began to recover their remains.

Richardson said that this recovery operation requires different equipment. 

"We've worked with Caddo, we've worked with Bossier Parish, they brought in an airboat," Richardson said. "We have a hydro track, which allowed us to get in the locations like that, and it still proved difficult even with all that equipment. So it was a mutual thing, and we were able to all come together and make that happen."

Richardson also said that crews are having to build a road to access the crash site. 

Richardson said they've heard a few reports from people near the area who may have heard a crash but did not see the helicopter go down.

Crews from Shreveport Fire Department, Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries, LifeAir Medical Helicopter assisted with the search.

On Thursday, Center, TX, Mayor David Chadwick released the following statement about the deaths of the Baileys:

"The City of Center grieves with the family of Pam and Terry Bailey in the tragic loss of these two native citizens and friends.  Mr. and Mrs. Bailey had a deep love for their community and enjoyed being a part of its growth and success.  We will miss their devotion to our community and its citizens, their vision and spirit of entrepreneurship, their generosity and Christian witness in their daily walk.  They have enriched our lives and leave a lasting footprint in our community."


Source:  http://www.ksla.com





DESOTO PARISH, LA. - UPDATE: The DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Office has recovered the remains of two people from the site of a helicopter crash over Wallace Lake and tentatively identified them as Center, Texas couple Terry and Pam Bailey.

The helicopter crashed early Wednesday on the south side of Wallace Lake in DeSoto Parish

Preliminary information indicates that the Bell B429 the crash is registered to an owner in Center which was the apparent destination of the aircraft that took off from the Shreveport Downtown Airport, according to the FAA.

The National Transportation Safety Board will be in charge of the investigation.

The crash site, which is spread over 75 to 100 yards wide, is located on a swampy area on the south end of the lake. It took over an hour for authorities to get through the difficult terrain of low water, cypress tree knees and giant salvinia.

A command post has been set up at the end of Wallace Lake Road. Authorities expect the recovery effort to span several days.

DPSO crime scene investigators are processing the scene.

Search for the aircraft began around noon in response to a report of a missing helicopter. The regional FAA said it lost track of the aircraft around 12:20 a.m. Wednesday.

Multiple local emergency response agencies worked to track down the helicopter's last known location using GPS provided by the FAA. The wreckage was found around 1 p.m. by Life Air Rescue.

Then, the hard work began trying to reach the crash site by land. DeSoto sheriff's deputies used its Hydrotrac that can maneuver between land and water. Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office sent its airboat, and the Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office provided its hovercraft. Shreveport Fire Department and Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries also assisted. 

PREVIOUS

The DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Office has recovered the remains of two people from the site of a helicopter crash over Wallace Lake.

The helicopter crashed overnight on the south side of Wallace Lake. Information about the victims is not immediately available.

Preliminary information indicates that the Bell B429 is registered to an owner in Center, Texas, which was the apparent destination of the aircraft that took off from the Shreveport Downtown Airport, according to the FAA.

FAA investigators are on their way to the site and the National Transportation Safety Board has been notified. The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation.

The crash site, which is spread over 75 to 100 yards wide, is located on a swampy area on the south end of the lake. It took over an hour for authorities to get through the difficult terrain of low water, cypress tree knees and giant salvinia.

A command post has been set up at the end of Wallace Lake Road. Authorities expect the recovery effort to span several days.

DPSO crime scene investigators will process the scene. The FAA has provided guidance on what information they are looking for. FAA is expected to have personnel on site Thursday.

Search for the aircraft began before noon in response to a report of a missing helicopter.

The wreckage was found around 1 p.m. by the DeSoto Parish sheriff's helicopter pilot who was scouring the area.

Emergency response crews then had to assemble equipment to physically get to the site.

Sheriff Rodney Arbuckle described the location as "in the back of Wallace Lake."

Arbuckle said initial information provided to him indicated a man who was piloting his helicopter did not return home last night. The Federal Aviation Administration said the aircraft was last spotted near the south end of Wallace Lake in DeSoto Parish.

The DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Office is joined by Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office, Shreveport Fire Department and Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries in the recovery effort. 


Source:   http://www.cbs19.tv





DESOTO PARISH, LA (KSLA) -

The bodies of two people have been recovered in a deadly helicopter crash in DeSoto Parish.

DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Office confirms that the remains were recovered before midnight on Wednesday.

Two people were on board a helicopter when it crashed today in Wallace Lake, the FAA reports.

The Bell B429 is believed to have been flying from Shreveport Downtown Airport to Shelby County, Texas.

"It appears that nobody has survived this crash. And we are just trying to make the recovery of the body at this time," DeSoto Sheriff Rodney Arbuckle said.

Preliminary information indicated that the aircraft is registered to someone in Center, Texas, the FAA reports.

The FAA now says the helicopter's tail or N number has been confirmed as N598PB.

The FAA's registry lists that aircraft as a Bell B429 registered to Terry Bailey of the 1000 block of Southview Circle in Center.

People who live in Center tell KSLA News 12 everyone is heartbroken after hearing the news. 

"They were known by everyone here, and everybody loved them and they helped a lot of people. They had a lot of people that worked for them and a lot of people that knew them, and they are both from good families and we're just all devastated," said Lillian Shofner who owns a small business on the square.

Representatives of the DeSoto and Caddo coroner's offices arrived at a well site on the southern end of Wallace Lake and now are being taken to the wreckage.

That's near where first responders searching for a missing helicopter have been battling overgrowth of giant salvinia in their attempts to get to wreckage found on the DeSoto side of the lake.

Authorities from multiple agencies also are working to figure out what led up to the aircraft crashing.

Crews converged on Wallace Lake near the Caddo-DeSoto line after the wreckage was spotted about 1 p.m. today.

DeSoto Parish sheriff's deputies were trying to reach the wreckage from that side of the lake.

Meantime, Shreveport Fire Department crews launched a boat from the Caddo side of the lake.

The DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Office used a helicopter to help search for the missing chopper.

The LifeAir medical helicopter also was asked to help with the search and discovered the wreckage.

Officials from Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries confirm that crews from Caddo Parish called and asked for a boat to search Wallace Lake.

FAA investigators are on their way to the site.

The National Transportation Safety Board has been notified and will be in charge of the investigation.

Story and video:   http://www.14news.com




Update 5:51 p.m.: The helicopter that crashed in Wallace Lake is registered to Terry Bailey, owner of High Roller Wells LLC of Center, Texas, which provides water disposal and hauling services for oil and gas companies, according to the aircraft registration number released minutes ago by the FAA.

Update 5:25 p.m.: Manufacturer specifications for the type of helicopter that crashed into Wallace Lake – a Bell B429, according to the FAA – specify maximum seating for seven, maximum flight time of 4.5 hours and a range of 472 miles. Bell received FAA certification for the aircraft in 2009. It is often used as an air ambulance.

Update 4:43 p.m.: DeSoto Parish Sheriff Rodney Arbuckle said recovery of the wreckage would be a multi-day effort. At this point, officers still can't reach the crash site. Arbuckle said he believes there are no survivors.

The helicopter crashed into water, but the path to the crash site leads through a marshy area studded with brush and trees.

Arbuckle said the helicopter must have hit trees on its way down because there was a small fire when rescue crews arrived on the scene. Police believe the helicopter crashed about a mile into the lake.

Wallace Lake straddles the Caddo and DeSoto Parish line. The crash site is in DeSoto Parish on the south side of the lake.







A helicopter has crashed into Wallace Lake in DeSoto Parish. Police believe two people were on board (Photo: Seth Dickerson/The Shreveport Times)

Update 4:37 a.m.: Two people were on board the helicopter that crashed into Wallace Lake earlier today, said Lynn Lunsford, the FAA's Mid-States public affairs manager.

From an FAA statement:

A Bell B429 helicopter with two people aboard crashed under unknown circumstances into Wallace Lake today, about 10 miles southeast of Shreveport. The aircraft is believed to have been flying from Shreveport Downtown Airport to Center, Texas, when the accident occurred.

FAA investigators are on their way to the site and the National Transportation Safety Board has been notified. The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation.

The FAA and NTSB do not release the names of pilots or passengers in air accidents. Those will be provided by local officials after relatives have been notified.

The FAA will release the tail number of the aircraft after accident investigators are able to verify it. Preliminary information indicates that the aircraft was registered to an owner in Center.





Original story:

Crews from Shreveport Fire, Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office, DeSoto Sheriff's Office and Desoto Fire are all part of a Wednesday recovery effort of a helicopter that has crashed into Wallace Lake.

Shreveport Fire EMS officer Clarence Reese said the fire department was called to the scene shortly after noon.  After being alerted to the possible crash, Reese said Life Air sent a helicopter up to locate the wreckage.

Blake Woodward with the Desoto Parish Sheriff's Office says the helicopter is believed to have crashed last night.

It is unclear if there were any survivors or if any bodies have been discovered.

Source:  http://www.shreveporttimes.com

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