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Authorities remain tight-lipped on pilot in B.C. helicopter crash

RCMP previously said the pilot fled the scene near Mabel Lake, B.C., and remains unaccounted for. The helicopter is registered in the U.S.
crashed-helicopter
There is still no word on the pilot of a helicopter who fled after crashing 18 days ago near Mabel Lake, B.C.

It has been 18 days since a helicopter went down in the Shuswap River near Mabel Lake, B.C., and police remain tight-lipped about the whereabouts of the pilot in the crash.

RCMP previously said the pilot fled the scene and remains unaccounted for.

Three passengers were injured in the crash.

The Robinson Helicopters R44 went down at night on Saturday, Aug. 12, after apparently clipping a Hydro line.

Locals have reported numerous instances of the helicopter flying erratically before the crash, from buzzing homes to landing in restricted spaces, including the roof of the generating station at Wilsey Dam.

Since then, police and the Transportation Safety Board have been remarkably quiet on the case.

Vernon RCMP say only that they have "no additional information for release at this time."

The helicopter's tail number, N7529M, shows it was last registered in the United States and was owned by Quicksilver Air of Fairbanks, Alaska.

The Aviation Safety Network lists its FAA registration as cancelled when it was sold and exported to Canada earlier this year.

The aircraft does not appear to be registered in the Canadian Civil Aircraft Register.