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FM NEWS 101 KXL

Columbia Helicopters Chopper Crashes In Peru


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Birkes (left) and Immel (right)

January 9, 2013, 8:43 am


Seven employees of Portland-based Columbia Helicopters were killed when their chopper crashed in the jungle of Peru on Monday.  They were on an oil and mining operation.

Among the dead is Washington County native Darrel Birkes, who graduated from Sunset High School.  He lived in Peru for the last 15 years, but came home for a month every summer.  Darrel's brother calls him an outdoorsman and generous person who will be missed greatly.

Pilot Dann Immel of Gig Harbor, Washington was also killed.  Three other Americans and two locals were also killed.  It appears they all jumped from the chopper to try and survive when the heavy-lift chopper crashed after taking off from the provincial capital of Pucallpa. 

The company has sent a team to help Peruvian authorities with the investigation.  It has also grounded its fleet of Chinook helicopters.  The National Transportation Safety Board is expected to arrive at the crash site today.


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