Six People Killed After 'Die Hard' Helicopter Crash In West Virginia Mountains

Six people were killed after a vintage helicopter crashed Wednesday, June 22, evening, during a reunion for enthusiasts of historical aircraft in West Virginia.

The Bell UH-1B helicopter, manufactured in 1962, crashed near Route 17 near Blair Mountain, in Long County at about 5 p.m. local time, the deputy director of the Logan County Office of Emergency Management, Sonya Porter confirmed.

The cause of the crash remains unclear.

"At the time the crash occurred, I think the weather was clear," Porter said.

All six passengers aboard the chopper were killed in the crash. Their identities are yet to be revealed.

The helicopter with the tail number N98F is owned by Marpat Aviation, a helicopter training, and operations facility located at Logan County Airport.

The crashed helicopter had been used during the Vietnam War and appears in a number of movies including "Die Hard," "The Rock" and "Baywatch."

The N98F was being featured this week at the 7th annual reunion for "Huey" helicopters, a nickname for the aircraft.

According to Marpat's website, aviation enthusiasts could make a reservation to ride in or fly the helicopter without being a pilot for a donation.

"Everybody’s saddened that this has occurred in our county, and they’re distraught over the incident," Porter told West Virginia MetroNews.

Witnesses Bobbi Childs, who lives about a mile from where the helicopter crashed, recalled the intensity of the fire after the crash.

"I ran as fast as I could go and I went under the guardrail and I went up to the helicopter," Childs told WSAZ. “But the fire was just so hot, so intense, and that guy didn’t make it out of there.”

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin issued a statement Thursday morning: "Gayle and I are devastated to hear of the deaths of six people killed in a horrific helicopter crash in Logan County. This is a heartbreaking time for the families, friends, and loved ones of those in the crash, and I know our entire state feels this loss. We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and my staff and I stand prepared to support the Logan County authorities, first responders, and entire community during this time of need."

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.