Helicopter Crashes In Darke County; 1 Dead, 1 Critical: Reports

GREENVILLE, OH — Federal authorities are investigating a helicopter crash Tuesday in Darke County, Ohio, that left one person dead and another hurt, according to reports.

The National Transportation Safety Board said it was investigating the crash of an Enstrom F28F in Greenville. Greenville is about 30 miles northwest of Dayton near the Indiana border.

The crash happened around 9:40 a.m. Tuesday in the 5000 block of Hogpath Road, the Dayton Daily News reported.

Darke County Sheriff Mark Whittaker told media outlets deputies arrived to fire and heavy smoke coming from the two-seat helicopter. Bystanders and deputies poured water over the craft to put out the flames.

“It was through heroic efforts of deputies who arrived on scene as well as some bystanders who were working hard,” Whittaker said. “They were using buckets of water from a nearby house and fire extinguishers, trying to beat back the flames while they tried to get the one occupant out.”

Crews pulled out one person, who was flown to Miami Valley Hospital in critical condition. The other died at the scene.

Patch has reached out to the sheriff's office and will update when we hear back.

According to Enstrom Helicopter Corp., the F28F weighs about 2,600 pounds and can cruise at about 115 mph at 3,000 feet.

The helicopter is known for what the company called its "enviable safety record, and low direct operating costs." Enstrom said its helicopters are well-suited for military pilot training, law enforcement, and commercial and agriculture markets.