A small plane owned by the Montana Department of Natural Resources (DNRC) crashed Wednesday at the Helena Regional Airport. The two pilots on board, who were conducting a training exercise at the time, were not injured.
The DNRC is not saying what they suspect caused the crash, nor will they provide the names of the pilots until after the NTSB completes their investigation.
The DNRC uses the Cessna 180 for wildfire detection and coordination.
UPDATE @ 10:33 MT, January 27, 2011
The pilot was performing crosswind touch-and-go landings when the accident occurred. The aircraft ended up beside the runway upside down. Both the pilot and the passenger, who was also a pilot, walked away. A report today said the aircraft was a Cessna 185 and that there was visible damage to the front of the plane and the propeller.
