West Virginia Helicopter Fatality
NTSB Investigators Arrive to Probe Fatal Helicopter Crash in West Virginia's Pocahontas County
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Key Points
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The National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation into the crash.
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Three NTSB investigators are traveling to the scene to assist with the probe.
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West Virginia State Police troopers are on scene securing the crash site, with officials confirming security roles as the investigation proceeds.
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Officials have not yet provided information on the pilot’s condition or potential injuries.
A helicopter crashed in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, early Thursday morning, killing the pilot. The crash occurred around 7:45 a.m. near Huntersville, close to the town of Marlinton, according to WVVA and The Intermountain.
The victim has been identified as 57-year-old Leo Basile. He was the only person on board the Sikorsky S-76D helicopter. State police and federal investigators quickly moved to secure and examine the scene, WJLA reported.
Pilot Leo Basile Identified as the Sole Casualty
West Virginia State Police troopers identified the pilot as Leo Basile, 57. He was the only person aboard the aircraft. No passengers were on the flight. Officials confirmed his death, though early updates from some agencies had not yet verified his condition, according to WVVA.
The crash was first reported by dispatchers in the area. WCHS-TV noted that the helicopter went down in the Huntersville area, a rural stretch of Pocahontas County. The cause of the crash has not been released.
NTSB Sends Three Investigators to the Crash Site
The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation. Three NTSB investigators traveled to the scene to document the wreckage and gather evidence, according to WSLS. The Federal Aviation Administration is also assisting in the probe.
NTSB investigators are responsible for finding the cause of aviation accidents in the United States. Their work at the site includes mapping the wreckage, reviewing flight data, and interviewing any witnesses. Results from such investigations can take months to finalize.
State Police Secure the Scene Near Marlinton
West Virginia State Police troopers secured the crash site while federal teams began their work. The area around Huntersville is remote, sitting near Marlinton in one of the state's least populated counties. The Intermountain reported that officials confirmed the security role of state police as the investigation moved forward.
Pocahontas County is a mountainous, rural region with few roads. The terrain can make crash response and investigation slower and more difficult. Authorities have not said what the helicopter was doing in the area or where it was headed.
What We Still Don't Know as Investigation Continues
Officials have not released details on what caused the Sikorsky S-76D to go down. The S-76D is a twin-engine helicopter often used for corporate, medical, and offshore transport flights. No information about the flight's origin or destination has been made public, according to WCHS-TV.
This is a developing story. Updates are expected from the NTSB, FAA, and West Virginia State Police as the investigation moves forward. WJLA confirmed that troopers have identified Basile, but further details on the circumstances of the crash remain unknown.
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