CHATHAM – On Friday, June 17, 2017 at 12:47 p.m., Chatham Police and Fire Departments were called to the shoreline area of Crows Pond for a report of a helicopter crash.
Units responded to find a 2002 Robinson Helicopter (Rotocraft) crashed on the shoreline near the property of 204 Crows Pond Road. The helicopter was partially submerged and had two occupants that were entrapped in the wreckage.
The pilot, John Ryan, 48, of Scituate, MA, and his passenger, Tyra Pacheco, 48, from Acushnet, MA, had to be freed from the wreckage by emergency personnel. Ryan was transported to Cape Cod Hospital and later transferred to Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston with serious injuries. Pacheco was flown by MedFlight to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston with critical injuries.
Witnesses described the helicopter as flying low over the shoreline residences, and witnesses also reported hearing engine sputtering.
The helicopter was described as making an emergency forced landing, on the shoreline.
Preliminary investigation reveals that the helicopter was out of Plymouth Airport and was hired for property aerial photography for a local real estate company.
Along with Chatham Police and Fire/Rescue, other assisting agencies included the Massachusetts State Police, United States Coast Guard, (Air Station Otis and Station Chatham), and the Chatham Harbormaster’s Office.
Federal investigators are scheduled to arrive at the crash site on Saturday, June 18. Currently environmental hazards have been mitigated and the scene is secured by public safety officials.
Editor’s note: Although edited, the following video may be disturbing to some viewers. Viewer discretion is advised:
Media release furnished by Chatham Police; photos and video by CWN associate Craig Chadwick
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