Local Law Firms Home > Personal Injury News > Las Vegas Helicopter Accident Claims the Lives of Five People The helicopter operated by Sundance Helicopters crashed into the River Mountains surrounding Lake Mead just before 5 p.m., according to Andrew Munoz, National Park Service spokesman. Many witnesses heard the accident and claimed seeing smoke about a few miles west of the lake's edge, according to Munoz, and officials determined that all five individuals on board were fatally injured. The remote accident site, approximately 30 miles from the Las Vegas Strip, is not reachable by car, which slowed down the original recovery and later encouraged officers to delay any rescue and exploration until early Thursday morning. A park ranger arrived in a 4-wheel-drive vehicle to the accident site late Wednesday to safeguard the bodies and debris until the investigation continues, Munoz said. Officials did not release any details about the identities of the victims. A spokesman at Sundance Helicopters informed The Associated Press that the helicopter was on a tour when it abruptly went missing. He didn't offer his name and refused to answer additional questions. Ian Gregor, spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration, said the helicopter was an AS-350, which can fit up to six passengers and is frequently used for air tours. FAA records list the helicopter’s creation year as 1989. Sundance Helicopters' website advertises only one local flight that tours over Lake Mead. The 30-minute "Twilight City Tour" flies over the Hoover Dam, downtown Las Vegas, and the Las Vegas Strip. Prices start at $210 per individual. It is unknown what might have caused the accident. The weather conditions were mostly clear at Lake Mead on Wednesday, with a low temperature around 29 and calm winds. Munoz said there were no unusual weather conditions that might have contributed to the crash. This is not the first fatal helicopter accident for Sundance Helicopters, which also had a deadly helicopter crash back in 2003. Did you know? Helicopter accidents occur more frequently than reported. If you lost a loved one in a helicopter accident, our personal injury lawyers can pursue your rights to monetary compensation in a wrongful death settlement.
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