Alaskan Helicopter Crash Brings The Debate On Heli-Skiing Back To Fore

A backcountry heli-skiing trip in an Airbus AS350 B3 helicopter cost one of Europe’s richest residents his life as the chopper met an accident on Saturday. He was Petr Kellner, 56, who was the Czech Republic’s richest person. Last year, Forbes listed him among the 70 richest people in the world.

How many were killed in the helicopter crash?

Those killed include Petr Kellner (56); Benjamin Larochaix (50) a Czech Republic citizen; heli-skiing guides Greg Harms (52), and Sean McManamy (38); and the helicopter pilot Zachary Russell (33).

The bodies of those killed have been recovered in a rescue effort. A sixth person was also found with the bodies. He was taken to the Anchorage area where he was being treated for his injuries. His condition was said to be stable.

Where did it happen and what were the causes of the accident?

National Transportation Board member Tom Chapman said that it happened in the Alaskan wilderness at around 6:30 pm local time when the helicopter was due back but was reported overdue by 8:30 pm. Soon a search effort was launched only to find the wreckage of the chopper near Palmer, Alaska that lies 45 miles of Anchorage.

Who was the chopper carrying?

All the passengers in the chopper were heli-skiing enthusiasts of Tordrillo Mountain Lodge that has hired the helicopter for heli-skiing that involves touching the untouched patches of powdery snow. It is a pricey sport for skiing enthusiasts but some European countries have banned it for environmental reasons.

Source:- https://bit.ly/3tZE7TQ

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