Las Vegas Sun

April 19, 2024

Officials ID pilot killed in crash of home-built helicopter in Reno

RENO — Authorities have identified the pilot who died in the crash of a small, home-built helicopter at Reno Stead Airport.

Washoe County sheriff's officials say 46-year-old Michael Seeliger was the only person on board when the privately owned, single seat aircraft known as a helicycle crashed shortly after noon on Sunday. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Airport spokesman Brian Kulpin says the helicopter had been built recently and was certified a week ago.

The crash site north of Reno was in the high desert away from the small airport's runway but on airport property.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident.

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