Louisiana Man On Alaskan Fishing Trip Dies After Helicopter Crash

Sad news out of the King Salmon area, where a 73-year-old Louisiana man died when a helicopter transferring four anglers to a fishing spot crashed in the Naknek River on Saturday.

Here’s more from the Anchorage Daily News:

A helicopter carrying five people departed from the King Salmon airport and crashed into the Naknek River at about 9:18 a.m., a quarter-mile south of the airport, said Clint Johnson, Alaska chief of the National Transportation Safety Board.

The pilot of the Bell 206B helicopter, more commonly known as a Jet Ranger, was transporting four fishermen to a fishing site, according to the preliminary information from NTSB, Johnson said. The helicopter was operated by Egli Air Haul out of King Salmon, Johnson said.

Weather at the airport was foggy at the time of the crash, with visibility around a quarter of a mile, according to the National Weather Service. The helicopter departed under Special Visual Flight Rules, or SVFR, conditions, Johnson said. Such an authorization allows aircraft to leave the airport in less than favorable weather.

The Alaska State Troopers also released the following dispatch on the accident:

AK24090910

Location: King Salmon

Type: Helicopter crash 

Dispatch Text:

On September 7, 2024 Alaska State Troopers were notified that a helicopter carrying five peopled crashed into the Naknek River near King Salmon. EMS and good Sarmatians were able to get all the occupants out of the water prior to AST and AWT arrival. One passenger, Martin Delaureal 73 of Louisiana was was killed in the accident. Next-of-kin has been notified. NTSB was alerted and is responding.