Early Friday morning, members of Marlinton Fire and Rescue and Frost Fire Department and the U.S. Forest Service responded to a helicopter crash on Browns Mountain in Huntersville.
The Sikorsky helicopter, owned by Waco Oil and Gas, was attempting to land at Ike Morris’ property along Rt. 39.
The pilot, identified as Leo Basile, 57, of Arthur-dale, did not survive the crash.
Fog may have been a factor in disorienting him on the approach.
Browns Mountain’s thick, forested terrain and lack of ingress by road or foot path made accessing the crash site difficult.
The crash is under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
