6 dead after helicopter crashes in Mojave Desert: Sheriff

11/02/2024

A helicopter carrying six people crashed in the Mojave Desert Friday evening, killing all passengers aboard, according to authorities.

Two crew members and four passengers departed from Palm Springs, California, at 8:45 p.m., and were en route to Boulder City, Nevada, which is about 26 miles southeast of Las Vegas.

Authorities were notified of the crash shortly after 10 p.m.

Friday evening, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said.

“The scene of the crash was determined to be east of the 15-Freeway, near Halloran Springs Road,” the statement added.

A meteorologist is working to analyze exact weather conditions to confirm local witness reports of rain and a “wintery mix” including snow, Michael Graham, member of the National Transportation Safety Board, said in a presser Saturday evening.

The Eurocopter EC-130 helicopter didn’t have a cockpit voice recorder or flight data recorder, nor was it required to, according to Graham.

The National Transportation Safety Board said Saturday an investigation was underway on the cause of the crash.