Update: 3 a.m. – The pilot was the only person on board the Bell helicopter according to Virginia State Police Sgt. Michael Conroy. The helicopter crashed into the lake about 10:30 p.m. on Friday, just north of the Tennessee border, Conroy said. As of 2 a.m. the pilot still had not been found, and police and rescue crews plan to search until he is located.
—————————————————————————————————————————–
Not long after the checkered flag flew in the Food City 250 at Bristol, with Joey Logano in Victory Lane, the mood turned less celebratory. Shortly after eleven o’clock Eastern Time NASCAR confirmed reports that a Food City corporate helicopter had gone down in Washington County, Virginia.
Food City was the sponsor of Friday night’s Nationwide Series race in Bristol, TN, just across the state line. Rescue teams are in route to the crash site, which is 29 miles from the racetrack. The helicopter is said to be upside down in South Holston Lake. Details about the number of occupants and their identities have not been confirmed.
Washington county Sheriff Fred Newman said the search could last well into the morning.
A search of aircraft registration reveals the helicopter, tail number N407N, is a 1996 Bell407 with one engine and seven seats. Its registered owner is K-VA-T & W-L Aviation LLC, based in Abingdon, VA. The online flight path indicated that the aircraft was headed to Abingdon from Charlottesville, a 1 hour 9 minute flight.
Food City is a major supermarket in Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky. They’ve been in business since 1918 and are based in Virginia.
The story is developing, more information will be provided as it becomes available.
