Couple and toddler killed in helicopter crash near Iowa

IOWA, La. (KPLC) – The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office has released the names of the family killed in Friday helicopter crash.

Jared Savant, 50, his wife, Tanya Savant, 35, and their 2-year-old baby, were the only occupants of the helicopter, according to the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office. All three died in the accident.

Jared Savant was piloting the 2006 Robinson R44 helicopter when it crashed and caught fire on Hecker Road, near Foreman Road north of Iowa, around 9 p.m. Friday.

“This was a very tragic accident, and our hearts go out to the affected family and loved ones,” Sheriff Stitch Guillory said in a statement. “Our officers arrived on the scene and started a preliminary investigation. The Federal Aviation Administration was called to investigate the crash and our deputies remained on scene and assisted until the FAA arrived, began their investigation and cleared debris from the area. I would like to express our gratitude to the community members who live in the area where the crash occurred. They responded without hesitation to the scene until first responders arrived and continued to provide assistance until the accident scene was cleared.”

Keith Holloway of the National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB) says they are concluding their investigation at the scene today and expect the aircraft to be recovered and taken to a secure facility for further examination. They are asking anyone who witnessed the incident, has surveillance video or any other information that could assist their investigation to contact the NTSB at [email protected].

According to Holloway, a preliminary report on the accident is expected within 30 days and typical NTSB investigations can take between 12 and 24 months to complete.