Veteran pilot killed in Manatee County helicopter crash

A veteran pilot was killed in Manatee County when a helicopter used for mosquito spraying crashed. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident.

The crash

The helicopter was being used for mosquito-spraying work in Manatee County. The crash killed the pilot, who was described as a veteran.

The incident involves both an aviation fatality and a public-service operation. The available facts identify the aircraft's mosquito-spraying role but do not establish what caused the crash.

NTSB investigation

The NTSB is handling the investigation. Its work will focus on determining what happened and identifying the factors involved in the crash.

Investigators commonly review the aircraft, its operation and the circumstances surrounding a crash. Any official findings will come from the NTSB's investigation.

What comes next

The investigation remains the next formal step in establishing the cause of the crash. Updates from the NTSB may clarify the sequence of events and any safety issues identified during the review.

Tampa Bay 28 reported on the fatal crash and the NTSB investigation.