NTSB LAUNCHES TEAM TO INVESTIGATE HELICOPTER CRASH IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

[NTSB Press Releases <NTSBPressReleases@xxxxxxxx>]

Title: NTSB LAUNCHES TEAM TO INVESTIGATE HELICOPTER CRASH IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

************************************************************
                       NTSB ADVISORY
************************************************************

National Transportation Safety Board
Washington, DC 20594

August 6, 2008

************************************************************

NTSB LAUNCHES TEAM TO INVESTIGATE HELICOPTER CRASH IN
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

************************************************************

The National Transportation Safety Board has dispatched a Go
Team to investigate a helicopter crash in a remote wooded
area about 35 miles northwest of Redding, California.  The
Sikorsky S-61N (N612AZ) operated by the U.S. Department of
Forestry, crashed at about 7:30 p.m. PDT last night during
takeoff. A post-crash fire ensued.  Of the 13 people
reported to be on-board, four suffered serious injuries;
nine are unaccounted for and are presumed to be fatally
injured.

NTSB Senior Air Safety Investigator Jim Stuhsaker has been
designated as Investigator-in-Charge. NTSB Board Member
Kitty Higgins will serve as principal spokesman during the
on-scene investigation. The Safety Board?s team includes two
representatives from the Office of Transportation Disaster
Assistance. Bridget Serchak will accompany the team as press
officer.

Ms. Serchak may be reached on her cell phone (202-557-1350)
when she arrives in California this evening.

NTSB Press Contacts:

202-557-1350 (Bridget Serchak, on site in California)
202-314-6100 (Washington)

************************************************************

This message is delivered to you as a free service from the
National Transportation Safety Board.

You may unsubscribe at any time at
http://www.ntsb.gov/registration/registration.htm  

An archive of press releases is available at
http://www.ntsb.gov/pressrel/pressrel.htm

Current job opportunities with the NTSB are listed at
http://www.ntsb.gov/vacancies/listing.htm

For questions/problems, contact pubinq@xxxxxxxx