Investigators release initial findings in fatal National Guard helicopter crash
Share This
From left to right, CW4 Jesse Anderson, 43; CW3 George “Geoff” Laubhan, 39; and CW3 Matthew Peltzer, 43, | Courtesy Idaho National Guard
BOISE Officials say poor weather and human error contributed to the crash of an Idaho National Guard helicopter that killed three guardsmen last month.
The Idaho National Guard released their preliminary findings during a Friday morning news conference at Gowen Field. Col. Christopher Burt, state Army aviation officer for the ING, said investigators have not found any mechanical issues, but the crash remains under investigation.
“Environmental factors were found to be a contributing factor in this accident,” Burt said. “The crew had the required ceiling and visibility to depart Boise and to conduct their mission. They continually monitored and evaluated the weather throughout their flight.”
Idaho National Guard identifies three soldiers killed in Black Hawk crash
By Fox 13 News staff
Published
(Idaho Army National Guard)
BOISE, Idaho - The IdahoArmy National Guard has identified the three soldiers who were killed in a Black Hawk helicopter crash Tuesday night.
All three personnel on board were pilots participating in a routine training flight near Boise, officials said.
The soldiers were identified as 43-year-old Chief Warrant Officer 4 Jesse Anderson, 43-year-old Chief Warrant Officer 3 Matthew Peltzer, and 39-year-old Chief Warrant Officer George Geoff Laubhan.
Anderson was a senior instructor pilot who had served in the National Guard since 2008. He is survived by his wife and four children.
Three pilots lost in Black Hawk crash near Boise were all fathers February 4
Clockwise from left: Chief Warrant Officer 3 George “Geoff” Laubhan, 39; Chief Warrant Officer 3 Matthew Peltzer, 43; and Chief Warrant Officer 4 Jesse Anderson, 43. (Idaho National Guard) All three Army National Guardsmen killed in a helicopter crash Tuesday night over mountainous Idaho terrain were fathers, and two were instructor pilots. The crew’s UH-60 Black Hawk crashed south of Lucky Peak near Boise when it was supposed to be returning from training. The weather was poor that night, with snow and fog obscuring aerial search efforts, but Guard officials said the reason for the mishap remains under investigation.
Idaho National Guard: All 3 killed in crash had children
By REBECCA BOONEFebruary 4, 2021 GMT
BOISE, Idaho (AP) The Idaho National Guard has released the names of three soldiers killed Tuesday night when a Black Hawk helicopter crashed during a training flight.
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Jesse Anderson, 43; Chief Warrant Officer 3 George “Geoff” Laubhan, 39; and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Matthew Peltzer, 43, were the only people aboard when the helicopter crashed near Lucky Peak outside Boise.
All three men were married with children and had served in the Idaho Army National Guard for years. Anderson, of Boise, was a senior instructor pilot and had served since 2008. He is survived by his wife and four kids.
Three pilots lost in Black Hawk crash near Boise were all fathers February 4 Clockwise from left: Chief Warrant Officer 3 George “Geoff” Laubhan, 39; Chief Warrant Officer 3 Matthew Peltzer, 43; and Chief Warrant Officer 4 Jesse Anderson, 43. (Idaho National Guard) All three Army National Guardsmen killed in a helicopter crash Tuesday night over mountainous Idaho terrain were fathers, and two were instructor pilots. The crew’s UH-60 Black Hawk crashed south of Lucky Peak near Boise when it was supposed to be returning from training. The weather was poor that night, with snow and fog obscuring aerial search efforts, but Guard officials said the reason for the mishap remains under investigation.