Officials Believe BK117 Likely Went Down In Fjord

A search for a LifeGuard medevac helicopter missing for over a week in Alaska has been suspended.

"Evergreen Helicopters of Alaska is deeply saddened by the announcement made this afternoon by the ARCC and the Alaska State Troopers that they are suspending their search efforts. Along with everyone else in the community, we had hoped and prayed for a more positive outcome," according to a company release.

A helicopter searching for the missing aircraft Saturday found the body of flight nurse John Stumpff, 47, on the north shore of Passage Canal near Whittier, as reported by ANN. The same crew spotted a helicopter door washed ashore about a mile east of where Stumpff's body was found.

On Sunday morning, searchers found more medical equipment near the same location.

Drift patterns based on winds, tides and waves in Passage Canal make it a strong possibility the Eurocopter BK117 crashed there, and that the body and the debris drifted west, said Lt. Col. Tom Bolin of the Alaska Air National Guard.

"All indications are that it went in the water," said Bolin.

Stumpff was one of three crewmembers, along with pilot Lance Brabham, 42, and paramedic Cameron Carter, 25, on a LifeGuard Alaska helicopter that disappeared in blowing snow a week ago on a flight from Cordova to Anchorage. Also on board was a patient, Gaye McDowell, 60, of Cordova.

Alaska State Troopers announced the search efforts were officially suspended at about 1400 AKST Monday.

Evergreen Helicopters, Inc. operated the aircraft for Providence Hospital's LifeGuard air ambulance business.

"Our BK-117 helicopter, N141LG, left Cordova at 4:40 PM on Monday, December 3rd. The aircraft was performing a Life Guard air ambulance mission for Providence Alaska," Evergreen stated. "The helicopter is operated under a contract services agreement with Providence Hospital, with company flight following procedures in effect."

Evergreen officials recognized those lost on the flight.

"Our sympathy goes to all the families of Evergreen pilot, Lance Brabham, the Providence medical crew of John Stumpff and Cameron Carter, and patient Gaye McDowell."

FMI: www.providence.org/alaska/lifeguard/08contact.htm, www.evergreenaviation.com/EHI/baselist.html