Cedar Lake Helicopter Crash Under Investigation by FAA, NTSB

Jun. 20—The NTSB and FAA are investigating what caused a two-person helicopter to crash into Cedar Lake Monday afternoon.

The helicopter, a Robinson R22, took off from the Lansing Airport in Illinois around 12:54 p.m. and it was scheduled to land at a helipad, owned by Jeff Bianchi on Lake Shore Drive, according to the flightaware.com. The 12-mile trip ended abruptly around 1:06 p.m.

Around 1:09 p.m. Monday, Deputy Police Chief Carl Brittingham saw the helicopter flying low over the lake, heading north. It was moving to land on the east side of the lake, when it hit the water's surface and spun out of control, according to a Cedar Lake Police release. Brittingham and two other officers took the police boat out on the water to confirm that the pilot and passenger were safely out of the aircraft. No injuries were reported to the duo or anyone else near the lake.

Officials notified the FAA and NTSB immediately, in addition to the Indiana DNR, to begin an investigation. Agencies that assisted in the incident include the Cedar Lake Fire Department, Crown Point Fire Department, Hobart Fire Department, Merrillville Fire Department, and Lake County HAZMAT.

Conservation Officer Alex Neel, public information officer for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, said Tuesday the agency was on hand Monday to respond to the crash scene and make sure there were no injuries.

DNR officers stood by while the helicopter was raised to ensure it did not break up and leak any contaminants into the lake. Neel said the helicopter remained intact and there was a very small amount of fluids that leaked into the lake.

Booms were deployed around the crash site to corral any leakage.

Neel said the DNR is not involved in the investigation and referred requests for additional information to the FAA and NTSB. The agencies could not be reached Tuesday for comment.

In a press release, Brittingham said divers confirmed that no one else was inside the aircraft Monday as well as its condition and placement, then Sunrise Pier & Lift Service, Inc. provided a crane boat to lift the aircraft out of the water and put it on a trailer on the shore.

The flight plan and intentions of the pilot are part of the ongoing investigation, Brittingham said.

Speculation the helicopter was being piloted by the helipad's owner was quashed by police as Brittingham said the owner of the helipad was not involved in the Monday incident.

In June 2020, Bianchi reportedly sunk his Ford F150 pick up truck and a Jeep Wrangler in an effort to save his sinking Pavati wake boat, according to Yahoo News. The failed effort was widely reported at the time in boating and trade publications.

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