HELICOPTER CRASH INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY
Silt—Expressions of sympathy, shock, sorrow and grief are going out for the three men who were killed in yesterday’s helicopter crash south of Silt that included veteran pilot Doug Sheffer. Sheffer owned and operated DBS Helicopters based at the Garfield County Regional Airport in Rifle. He was conducting aerial safety inspections of Holy Cross power lines around Dry Hollow Road when the chopper clipped a power line and crashed just before 11:30. The names of the other two victims have not been released. Garfield County Sheriff Lou Vallario had the utmost respect for Sheffer as a top-notch helicopter pilot and as a person. Sheffer was a member of the Garfield County Search and Rescue team and was often called to help search for people missing or stranded in the rugged backcountry. Today, investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are examining the crash site and the helicopter to find out what happened. Sheffer was known for his expertise and knowledge of helicopters as well as his dedication to safety.
