Pilot described as experienced, well-respected

A Trans North helicopter pilot is still missing after his Bell 206 crashed into the Yukon River moments after taking off early Saturday morning from the company's Carmacks heli-pad.

A Trans North helicopter pilot is still missing after his Bell 206 crashed into the Yukon River moments after taking off early Saturday morning from the company’s Carmacks heli-pad.

Carmacks RCMP Cpl. Wayne Gork said this morning that several search and rescue crews are continuing their search of the river for both the pilot and debris from the Jet Ranger helicopter.

Missing is Richard Wood, a 67-year-old resident of Merritt, B.C. The crash occurred at 7:15 a.m.

“The helicopter had just departed the Trans North heli-pad in Carmacks to begin its work for the day,“ reads a statement issued this morning by the company.

“There was no passengers on board – at this time there is no official confirmation on the fate of the pilot . . . .

“He was a very high-timed, experienced and well-respected pilot in the industry, having flown in excess of 24,000 hours during his flying career,“ reads the company statement. “Mr. Wood had been flying for Trans North for the past two years.“

Several canoeists at the nearby Coal Mine Campground witnessed the crash while they were down at the river bank having their morning coffee.

“One guy told me he was watching and the helicopter was just taking off,“ campground owner Dale Best said in an interview this morning. “It happened pretty well right in front of the heli-pad.

“One girl told me it was just like watching a movie.“

Best said the RCMP interviewed each of the witnesses, and one of the campers was able to provide photos or video to police officers.

The campground is only about a kilometre upriver from the heliport operated by the company, he pointed out.

Two investigators from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada arrived in Carmacks Sunday to begin their investigation, safety board spokesman John Cottreau said today.

“They are looking for, and at, debris,“ Cottreau said. “Only parts of the helicopter have been found so far.“

Cpl. Gork said efforts were initiated with the RCMP boat and the local search and rescue boat.

Search and Rescue crews from Whitehorse and Faro and their boats joined in the effort Sunday, combing the river for a full 12 hours, he pointed out.

“And we had an additional two civilian craft from people who know the river really well.“

While the bulk of the search has been focused on the first 20 or so kilometres downriver from the crash site, one crew has gone as far down as Five Finger Rapids, Gork explained.

The corporal said some pieces of wreckage have been recovered, though there are still some major components missing.