CARLSBAD–The Medical Examiner’s Office released the names of the two men fatally injured in a helicopter crash at McLellan-Palomar Airport on Wednesday.
The victims were 60 year-old Wayne Frank Lewis of Cardiff-By-The Sea, and 65 year-old Bruce Allen Erickson of Rancho Santa Fe.
According to the Medical Examiner report, Lewis was a passenger in the helicopter piloted by his friend Erickson.
The men were practicing landings at the airport when the helicopter came in for another landing on the landing pad. The helicopter’s tail impacted with the ground and spun out of control along the runway.
Due to smoke exuding from the helicopter and the fuel on board, firefighters performed fire suppression efforts on the helicopter, and then gained access. Both men were confirmed deceased at the scene.
The FAA will continue its investigation of the crash.
