Maine Wildlife Biologist Killed In North Slope Helicopter Crash

Here’s more from WMTW TV in Portland, Maine:

Dr. Shiloh Schulte, a 46-year-old from Kennebunk, was working for Manomet, a nonprofit conservation organization, at the time of the crash near Kuparuk, Alaska. The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed the crash killed a second person and occurred on June 4 in a remote location only accessible by helicopter.

NTSB investigators reached the crash site on Friday afternoon. The wreckage will be transported to Deadhorse, Alaska, for further examination, the agency said.

Manomet released a statement on Schulte’s death, calling him “a deeply respected member of the Manomet Conservation Sciences team.”

Here’s some of the statement on the tragedy:

We are devastated by the sudden loss of our colleague and friend, Shiloh Schulte, PhD, who died in a helicopter crash while conducting conservation work in Alaska.

Shiloh was a deeply respected member of the Manomet Conservation Sciences team, whose passion for shorebird conservation and unwavering commitment to protecting our planet inspired everyone fortunate enough to work alongside him. As the coordinator for the American Oystercatcher Recovery Program, Shiloh worked tirelessly and resourcefully, collaborating with partners along the Eastern Seaboard to help rebuild the American Oystercatcher population by 45%. Shiloh gave his life in the service of something greater than himself, dedicating himself to preserving the natural world for future generations.

KNBA radio in Anchorage, via Alaska Public Media, interviewed the mother of the helicopter’s pilot who also died in the crash, though authorities haven’t released the names of the deceased:

Officials have not yet released the names of the victims of the crash. But Arlene Guibas of Colorado said that her son, Jonathan Guibas, was the pilot.

Guibas, 54, started working at Pollux about a month ago, Arlene Guibas said. Before her son moved to Alaska, she said he lived in California, Guam and Virginia.

Guibas was an experienced helicopter flight instructor as well as a diving instructor and a licensed motorcycle technician.

“He was excited about life,” she said. “He tried everything.”

Condolences to the loved ones of the victims.