Missing helicopter found crashed in northwestern Colorado mountains

Lauren Penington, The Denver Post on Jun 26, 2025

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DENVER — The crashed remains of a helicopter that disappeared Wednesday after departing from a Colorado airport were discovered early Thursday morning on the Western Slope, according to investigators.

Search parties found the crashed helicopter in “mountainous terrain” near Meeker in Rio Blanco County, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.

Only the pilot was on board, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, but it’s unclear whether the pilot was injured or killed in the crash.

The helicopter took off Wednesday morning from Meeker Airport and was reported missing just after 8 p.m. that evening when it failed to return, according to a news release from the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office.

FAA investigators believe it crashed at about 11:10 p.m. Wednesday, according to a statement from the agency.

County officials tried to track down the helicopter that night, but the search was suspended for safety reasons, sheriff’s officials said in the news release.

The search resumed at about 6 a.m. Thursday, with support from Coulter Aviation, the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, Classic Air Medical and family members who began hiking in areas believed to be along the helicopter’s planned flight path, sheriff’s officials said.

Less than an hour later, the crashed helicopter was spotted northeast of Meeker.

Rio Blanco County sheriff’s deputies and crews with Meeker Fire & Rescue both responded to the scene.

No update on the pilot’s status was available Thursday, but sheriff’s officials said their “deepest condolences are with the family during this difficult time.”

The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are both investigating the crash.

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