PIGEON FORGE (WATE) – The Pigeon Forge Chief of Police Jack H. Baldwin confirms to WATE 6 On Your Side that five people were killed in a sightseeing helicopter that crashed Monday afternoon.
“Apparently this helicopter came out some time around 3:30 p.m. this afternoon and all passengers are deceased,” said Baldwin. “The FAA will be coming in sometime tomorrow morning to do their investigation of the crash.”
Baldwin said fire departments are working to put out a fire caused by the helicopter, which was completely destroyed. The fire has caught some of the hill on Rainbow Road, where the helicopter crashed, on fire.
GALLERY: Pigeon Forge helicopter crash
![Sightseeing helicopter destroyed by fire in Pigeon Forge, according to FAA]()
Emergency personnel work where a sightseeing helicopter crashed Monday, April 4, 2016, near Sevierville, Tenn. Officials said several people died when the helicopter crashed near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.(AP Photo/Wade Payne)
![Sightseeing helicopter destroyed by fire in Pigeon Forge, according to FAA]()
Emergency personnel work where a sightseeing helicopter crashed Monday, April 4, 2016, near Sevierville, Tenn. Officials said several people died when the helicopter crashed near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
![Sightseeing helicopter destroyed by fire in Pigeon Forge, according to FAA]()
Helicopter crashed reported at 3:30 p.m. on Rainbow Road in Pigeon Forge.
![Sightseeing helicopter destroyed by fire in Pigeon Forge, according to FAA]()
Smoke from the crash could be seen from Tanger Outlets (Courtesy: Christy Niehoff)
![Sightseeing helicopter destroyed by fire in Pigeon Forge, according to FAA]()
Helicopter crashed reported at 3:30 p.m. on Rainbow Road in Pigeon Forge.
![Sightseeing helicopter destroyed by fire in Pigeon Forge, according to FAA]()
Helicopter crashed reported at 3:30 p.m. on Rainbow Road in Pigeon Forge.
![Sightseeing helicopter destroyed by fire in Pigeon Forge, according to FAA]()
Smoke rises through the trees where a sightseeing helicopter crashed Monday, April 4, 2016, near Sevierville, Tenn. Officials said several people died when the helicopter crashed near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
![Sightseeing helicopter destroyed by fire in Pigeon Forge, according to FAA]()
Pigeon Forge police chief, Jack Baldwin, speaks to media at the site where a sightseeing helicopter crashed Monday, April 4, 2016, near Sevierville, Tenn. Officials said several people died when the helicopter crashed near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
The FAA released the following statement:
Local authorities notified the FAA that a Bell 206 sightseeing helicopter crashed near Sevierville, TN at 3:30 pm local time today. Officials said it was destroyed by fire. Local authorities will release the number of people on board, their names and conditions. The FAA will release the helicopter registration after that. We will update this statement when we get new information.
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