MESA, Ariz. (AP) - Authorities have identified a passenger in a helicopter who was killed when the aircraft crashed in a park in the Phoenix suburb of Mesa.
Police in Mesa say 55-year-old Chip Paige was pronounced dead at the scene Friday.
They say the helicopter pilot, Albert Hayden, was treated at a hospital for minor injuries.
Authorities say flight records show the helicopter took off from Blythe, California, and was traveling to Falcon Field in Mesa.
Witnesses reported seeing parts of the helicopter coming off in mid-air, causing the Bell “Huey”UH-1H chopper to spin out of control and crash to the ground.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the fatal crash.
KNBC News officials in California said Paige ran the helicopter program for the station from 2002-09 and was contracted to provide aerial services as a pilot-reporter.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.