Helicopter crashes into frozen lake in Idaho; pilot killed, 1 hospitalized
Federal authorities are investigating after a helicopter crashed into a frozen lake Thursday in Idaho killing a pilot and injuring one passenger.
The crash involved a Bell 505 and took place at the Ririe Reservoir in the city of Rexburgh, a Federal Aviation Administration spokesperson told USA TODAY Friday morning.
The city is in Madison County in the state's southeast about 30 miles northeast of Idaho Falls.
The Bonneville County Sheriff's Office reported multiple agencies responded to the crash about 4:40 p.m. using snowmobiles and found two people inside the helicopter.
According to a statement from the sheriff's office, first responders found one occupant dead at the scene.
A second occupant was taken by ambulance to a hospital for to be treated for non-life threatening injuries, the agency reported.
Flight safety is under scrutiny: 3 questions sparking debate
What caused the Idaho helicopter crash?
The official cause of the crash was not immediately known Friday, but according to a preliminary FAA report obtained by USA TODAY, the aircraft struck a powerline before it crashed on the ice.
The sheriff's office said it was not immediately known why the helicopter was in the area.
Following the crash, the department said, deputies shut down Ririe Reservoir and the area around the crash site for safety due to downed power lines and unstable ice conditions.
Identities of helicopter victims not yet released
As of Friday, officials had not released the identification of the fatality victim.
The identity of the passenger on board was also not immediately known.
The official cause of the crash remained under investigation by the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board on Friday, the FAA spokesman said.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.
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