Helicopter Leaves Tri Cities Airport in Endicott; Crashes, No Survivors

A helicopter that took off from Tri Cities Airport in Endicott on Saturday has crashed, taking the lives of all aboard.

The crash happened Saturday night in a wooded area of Northeast Pennsylvania after the pilot told air traffic control he was losing altitude.

Wyoming County (PA) coroner Thomas Kukuchka said that although the names of those on board have not been released, three men, a woman and a child were on board.

"It appears to be a father and son, a father and daughter and the pilot," he said.

The names and ages of the victims will not be released until family members are reached in Leesburg, VA., Ellicot City, MD. and Kitnersville, PA.

Initially, the F.A.A. said the helicopter took off from Greater Binghamton Airport, but officials there said it had left from Tri Cities Airport in Endicott.

It's not clear if weather was a factor in the crash, but there were reports of several thunderstorms in the area where the helicopter went down.

The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate.

[USA Today/NY Times]