Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Oct 08/01) - A 49-year-old pilot, Phil Spano of Casper, Wyoming, died when his helicopter crashed in Fort Simpson around 7 p.m. Friday evening. The only passenger was taken to hospital.

The Hughes 500 helicopter, operated by South Nahanni Outfitters, was on its final approach when it apparently ran out of gas, according to RCMP Sgt. Bill Eubank.

The helicopter slammed violently into the ground, resting on the pilot's side in a ditch alongside the highway, just as dusk was setting in on an overcast evening. The helicopter landing pad was just a few hundred metres away. First on the scene

Kirby Groat, who lives across the street in the light industrial area of town, had just finished his supper when he saw the helicopter go by his window. "He disappeared out of my sight and a few seconds later I heard a whack," he said.

A volunteer firefighter, Groat immediately jumped in his truck and raced to the scene. He radioed the fire department and ambulance, which arrived a few minutes later.

"One person was out. I suspect he got out (on his own)," Groat said.

The passenger was taken initially to Fort Simpson Health Centre and then medevaced to Edmonton later Friday night with non-life-threatening injuries. The emergency response team feverishly administered CPR to the pilot for close to 15 minutes before rushing him away in the ambulance. Spano was pronounced dead at the Fort Simpson health centre.

Groat said nothing seemed unusual when the helicopter passed over his home other than it was approaching from the west rather than from over the Mackenzie River as most do.

Debris was scattered over several metres at the scene, but no subsequent fire or explosion occurred. The wreckage is to be shipped to Edmonton for examination by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada.