Report issued on helicopter crash

Wednesday, June 12, 2002 | 9:47 a.m.

A Grand Canyon tour company's helicopter crashed last month after hitting a hillside, bouncing on its skids for 60 feet and cartwheeling to rest, according to a preliminary investigation.

The helicopter pilot, the sole person aboard, received minor injuries. The Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters pilot was about to land at the bottom of the Grand Canyon when the crash occurred about 15 miles from Meadview, Ariz., on May 28, according to the National Transportation Safety Board report.

"According to the aircraft loader who witnessed the accident, there was no change in the engine or rotor sounds," the report says.

The cause of the crash will be determined in the final report.

Another Papillon helicopter crashed Aug. 10 about four miles east of Meadview killing the pilot, Henderson resident Kevin Innocenti and five New York tourists, and critically injuring another tourist.

The investigation into that deadly crash has not been completed.