Tulsa Pilot, 2 Others Killed In Arkansas Helicopter Crash

One person survived and three people died Sunday when a sightseeing helicopter crashed at a music festival.

Bill Sadler with the Arkansas State Police said the state police secured the crash scene while rescue personnel recovered one survivor, according to KFSM, News 5.

Pilot Chuck Dixon, of Tulsa, and two passengers — Sarah Hill of Austin, Texas, and Marco Orneals of Mexico — died after crashing not far from the landing site, according to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.

A third passenger, Zachari Peterson of Omaha, Neb., was taken to a Tulsa hospital with several broken bones and internal injuries. He was listed Monday (June 3) in critical condition.

Officials confirmed Monday (June 3) that three passengers and the pilot were on board a tour ride at the Backwoods Music Festival at Mulberry Mountain when the helicopter crashed not far from the landing site. 

The helicopter was from Tulsa County Helicopters and was being used to give customers a bird’s eye view of the music festival, taking place on Highway 23 North in Franklin County.

Franklin County Sheriff Anthony Boen said Sunday (June 2) that the pilot was due back about 7 p.m. but did not show up as scheduled.

The wreckage was found about 8 p.m., investigators said.