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Wed, Jun 22, 2005

Lost Copter Found: Two Killed

Experimental Down

A New Jersey Forest Fire Service helicopter found the wreckage of an experimental helicopter on Tuesday in a wooded area near the Atlantic City Expressway. The pilot and passenger were found in the wreckage. Thomas Navickas, 61, and passenger USMC Captain Christian Gafke, 34 died in the crash.

The helicopter had been missing since Sunday morning. It had departed from Elmer about 0730 on a 24-mile journey to get fuel in Hammonton. It never arrived.

Federal Aviation Administration investigators and the Atlantic County Medical Examiner's Office were on the scene by mid-afternoon Tuesday. The experimental helicopter, descrinbed as an 'LR2000AG' was found mostly intact on the forest floor, and both men were found in their seats.

The helicopter was built by Navickas and designed to be capable of carrying relatively heavy loads. It is shown in this photo with spray booms for agricultural use. It was powered by an Allison 250 turbine.

State Police Lt. Gary Rhile told the AP the search helicopter had to hover just above the treeline to spot the wreckage. He said it police almost 45 minutes to hike through the wooded terrain to get to the fallen chopper.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov

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