Search and rescue crews found the missing helicopter and pilot in Iberia Parish this morning, Aug. 4.
Search crews from the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), Louisiana State Police, Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office, St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Coast Guard started searching for the missing helicopter and pilot yesterday, Aug. 3, after 4 p.m.
Around 9:30 a.m. this morning a Louisiana State Police helicopter found the wreckage site and notified LDWF agents and sheriff deputies in boats that were near the area. Agents and deputies then walked about a 100 yards from their boats to the swampy remote wreckage site. Agents and deputies then confirmed that the missing helicopter was found with the deceased body of the pilot nearby.
The wreckage site is in the Atchafalaya Basin in the Grand Lake area just east of the Atchafalaya River. The pilot was the only person on board the helicopter. The helicopter is owned by Texas-based Gulf Coast Helicopters, Inc.