Rescue vehicles and personnel work to recover the helicopter in the
Tennessee River.
CHEROKEE – At a status briefing near the search area for a downed helicopter late this afternoon, it was announced that the National Transportation Safety Board was sending a ‘go-team’ to the Shoals. The chopper, headed eastbound over the Tennessee River, evidently crashed into the barge channel about 1:00 this afternoon.
News media wait for something to send pictures to their stations.
According to rescue personnel at the scene, there was a single person aboard the helicopter. Haverfield Aviation, of Gettysburg, has confirmed to rescue personnel that one of its helicopters has gone missing. Company representatives are enroute to the Shoals. The helicopter was used in electrical power line inspections.
Media reports say that eyewitnesses at the scene observed a black helicopter, type unknown at this time, break apart as it hit the water, just downstream of the Natchez Trace Bridge. Several reports say that the helicopter appeared to be attempting a landing on the Florence side of the river bank just prior to the crash.
The Florence Police Dive Team is on-scene to reconnoiter the crash, and to recover the pilot.
The NTSB go-team is expected to arrive at the crash site around 2:00 Tuesday morning. when they arrive, they will take over the crash investigation.
