Papillon ship down in Grand Canyon - $38 million settlement
Sincere condolences to the family members and colleagues of everyone affected by this terrible accident.
Tour copter crashes near Grand Canyon; 6 dead, 1 hurt
Associated Press
Aug. 10, 2001
MEADVIEW, Ariz. - A helicopter out of Las Vegas crashed this afternoon near the western edge of the Grand Canyon, killing six people, according to the FAA. A seventh person was seriously injured.
The AS350 helicopter crashed under unknown circumstances at 2:35 p.m, said Jerry Snyder, an FAA spokesman in Los Angeles. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.
About 15 people, some crying and hugging, gathered in the lobby of Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters at McCarran International Airport, where the trip originated.
"They are in an incredible state of shock," said Rabbi Felipe Goodman, of Temple Beth Sholom of Las Vegas. "They're trying to put together and see what's next."
Pat Mallen, a representative of the company, said company officials were too busy to talk.
The helicopter went down in a rugged area 5 miles east of Meadview, which is about 70 miles east of Las Vegas, said Mohave County Sheriff's Department spokesman Steve Johnson. The crew reported the crash.
The crash site was located on Bureau of Land Management land and was difficult to get to, National Park Service spokesman Bert Byers said. "Only the hardiest of four-wheel-drive vehicles would be able to get in there," he said.
Byers said a Park Service plane was monitoring the crash site and at least one helicopter from the state Department of Public Safety had taken emergency personnel to the crash site.
In April 1999, another sightseeing helicopter owned by Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters crashed near Tusayan, south of the Grand Cayon, killing the pilot.