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CAMP VERDE, Ariz. — Sheriff's officials said a private helicopter has crashed into an Arizona river, killing all four people who were onboard.
The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office said the crash in the remote area likely took place Saturday during a flight from Sedona to Scottsdale.
Searchers reached the Verde River crash site on Sunday and found four bodies — the pilot, Raymond Perry, 70, of Phoenix, CEO of the local Mexican restaurant chain Arriba, passengers Karen Stinn, 68, of Cave Creek, Mike Dunaway, 63, and Linda Dunaway, 64, of Glendale.
Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor said search crews with the Civil Air Patrol began looking for the Aerospatiale AS350 helicopter on Saturday when it was reported overdue.
The wreckage was spotted around 8:45 a.m. Sunday by a private pilot south of Camp Verde.
National Transportation Safety Board investigators are looking at the wreckage to determine what caused the crash.
Camp Verde is about 86 miles north of Phoenix.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.)
