KGW News report
Helicopter pilot dies in crash in Glendale area
GLENDALE, Oregon.
A helicopter crash in remote timber land of Douglas County in southern Oregon killed an Australian pilot on Wednesday morning.
James Ladd, 41, of Erowal Bay, New South Wales, Australia, was the only occupant in a logging helicopter owned by Superior Logging of Grants Pass. The crash occurred about 14 miles northwest of Glendale. Glendale is north of Grants Pass.
Ladd was flying a Kaman Kmax K-1200 helicopter about 8 a.m. The helicopter was removing from the Bear Pen timber sale on Bureau of Land Management Land when its rotor blades struck a tree. The chopper then struck the trees and went down a deep slope, eyewitnesses said.
Ladd had been flying for Superior for about a year. The helicopter that Ladd was flying was one of five choppers used by Superior for wildland firefighting, construction lifting and helicopter logging.
“Jim Ladd was really a fine human being as well as a very good pilot,” said Andy Mills, assistant general manager for Superior. “Our staff is filled with sadness and shock right now, and we are doing everything we can for the family.”
Ladd, an experienced pilot, had logged more than 9,700 flight hours in helicopters. He leaves behind a wife and a 6-year-old daughter.
A sad loss.
Our sympathies to his family and friends.