A Salem man died when his helicopter crashed in rural Marion County on July 17.
Stayton Fire District responded to the fiery crash, which happened at 8:52 a.m. near the 21000 block of Fern Ridge Road SE, just north of Mehama. First to arrive on the scene, SFD responders located the downed helicopter, a 1960 Hiller, in a tree line next to a Christmas tree field.
“The district responded with two rescues, an engine and a command vehicle staffed with 12 firefighters,” said Jack Carriger, SFD fire chief. “Rescue 82 out of our Mehama Station arrived first, confirmed a crash, extinguished a fire, and confirmed one death.”
Agencies report the crash claimed the life of Terry Harchenko, 65, of Salem.
“Terry was a great man from a wonderful family,” John Markham posted on The Canyon Weekly Facebook page.
Chief Carriger said after the fire had been extinguished and emergency responders determined no medical assistance was needed, the incident was turned over to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
“All other units were returned except Stayton Fire Command,” Carriger said. “At the request of Stayton Command, one Oregon Department of Forestry engine was asked to return to the scene to monitor smoldering in the bark of a tree. When the ODF engine arrived and received instructions Stayton Fire Command was terminated.”
MCSO reported the helicopter was spraying a nearby Christmas tree field prior to the crash, and that Harchenko was the sole occupant of the aircraft.
No determination has been made as to what events led to the helicopter crash. Investigators have contacted the Federal Aviation Administration and National Traffic Safety Bureau.
Also assisting the Stayton Fire District, MCSO and the Oregon Department of Forestry were the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Marion County Medical Examiner’s Office.
