Helicopter Crash Takes Life of Wildlife Services Employee

A 13-year veteran of the federal-state Wildlife Services Program died after the helicopter he was riding in crashed while performing routine predator control duties near Strawberry Reservoir January 14, 1998. The crash took the life of 38-year old Shane Cornwall of Payson, Utah. Cornwall was one of Wildlife Services more experienced trappers, having worked for the service for 13 years using some of the more sophisticated electronic equipment available in his work. The pilot, who suffered minor injuries, is identified as Allen H. Carter, the owner of Skyhawk Helicopter Service of Minersville, Utah.

"The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food extends its deepest sorrow and regret to Shane's family," said Utah Commissioner of Agriculture and Food, Cary G. Peterson. "Shane was a specialist among the trappers. Whenever there was a special assignment, Shane was the one who took on the challenge," Peterson added.

Cornwall was a passenger in a two-seat Bell 47 helicopter hired under contract from Skyhawk Helicopter. According to reports by the pilot, the two were ending a run on several coyotes when the helicopter crashed. It is believed a mechanical problem contributed to the accident.

The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food is reviewing the facts of the incident, but feel that the incident was not directly caused by the aerial hunting and that the timing of such a mechanical malfunction was unfortunate.

The Wildlife Services Program was created by Congress in 1931 to protect America's livestock industry. It also insures human health, safety and protection of wildlife. The program has saved the Utah livestock owners millions of dollars in lost revenue by protecting tens of thousands of cattle, sheep and turkeys during its 67 year history.

This is the second fatal accident in Utah for the program. The first accident occurred in October of 1996 when two program employees died when their airplane crashed near Holden, Utah.

Cornwall was noted for his work in the Summer of 1993 for tracking down a black bear in the Strawberry Valley that attacked and injured a young girl sleeping in a pickup truck camper. The assignment was risky and difficult, but Cornwall was able to track and locate the bear.

Posted January 15, 1998