Department Leads Investigation of Fatal Helicopter Crash

State, Federal Authorities Recovering Wreckage

Natural Resources Police divers at work off Kent island

Maryland Natural Resources Police and federal authorities continue their investigation into a May 4 fatal helicopter crash in the Chesapeake Bay near Kent Island.  

The crash occurred near the area south of Bloody Point near Kent Point Marina, killing two people: pilot Charles Knight, 38 of Mt. Airy, and passenger Matt Clarke, 36 of Pasadena. The wreckage was found in 55 feet of water about 1/2 mile from shore.

Investigators are working with the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration investigators to recover the wreckage. Natural Resources Police and Maryland State Police divers are conducting operations at the crash scene, working from police boats and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources buoy tender A.V. Sandusky.

Once the wreckage is recovered, the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration will respond and begin their investigation into the cause of the accident.  Maryland Natural Resources Police will continue to serve as the lead agency.