Two Spokane-area men identified in fatal helicopter crash

Two men in their 60s died in a helicopter crash Wednesday south of Davenport, Washington.

The men were identified as Mark Manteuffel, 63, of the Coeur d'Alene area, and Ryan Sandvig, 68, of Spokane, according to Adam Walser, Lincoln County prosecutor and coroner.

Lincoln County Fire District 6 Chief Brandon Larmer said firefighters were called around 4:30 p.m. to the crash in a private field about 1 mile north of Bluestem and Linstrum roads, at exit from national road 28.

Larmer said he found two people dead at the scene and debris from the plane scattered. Nobody survived.

The small private helicopter crash caused a wildfire of approximately 1 ½ acres, which volunteer firefighters fully contained.

The helicopter was identified as a Robinson R-44, which took off Wednesday from King County International Airport-Boeing Field in Seattle, according to NTSB spokesman Peter Knudson.

An NTSB investigator arrived at the crash site Thursday where he will document the wreckage and site, Knudson wrote in an email. The wreckage will then be transferred to a secure facility for further evaluation.

NTSB investigations involve three main areas: the pilot, the aircraft and the operational environment, Knudson wrote.

Witnesses to the crash or those who have surveillance video or other information that may be relevant to the investigation are asked to contact the NTSB at [email protected].

A preliminary report is expected within 30 days of the accident. The report will contain information collected during the initial phase of the investigation.

Knudson wrote that the probable cause of the accident and all contributing factors will be detailed in the final report, expected in one to two years.

The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office and the Federal Aviation Administration could not be reached for comment.