Crashed tourism helicopter removed from Copper Lake

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

SILVERTON — A submerged helicopter was recovered from Copper Lake on Wednesday, exactly two months after it crashed into part of the watershed that provides drinking water for Snohomish County.

Local and state agencies waited for a clear weather window of at least two days to pursue the removal. Officials worried the sunken helicopter would contaminate the lake flowing into Williamson Creek, and ultimately, the Spada Lake reservoir.

But to extract the helicopter, contractors needed to fly two helicopters into the remote area, since it’s all but inaccessible to hikers. And poor flying weather and dropping temperatures increased chances the crashed helicopter would remain in the lake until next year. Then a weather window opened this week.

Commercial divers from Global Diving and Salvage attached hoisting equipment to the helicopter, and then two helicopters from Northwest Helicopters lifted the aircraft out of the water, according to the Snohomish County Public Utility District. Contractors transported the helicopter to the PUD’s helipad at the Henry M. Jackson Powerhouse where it was loaded onto a trailer.

https://www.heraldnet.com/news/crashed-tourism-helicopter-removed-from-copper-lake-after-two-months/

[montanacowboy]

1. Good to know our water supply

won't get contaminated!