New Structure in Island Lake

[gunflint]

From The Duluth News Tribune.

Helicopter crashes into Island Lake; pilot rescued from water

A private helicopter dropped into Island Lake shortly after takeoff early this morning slightly injuring the pilot.

Eric Francis Monson, 24, of Hermantown, was treated and released from a Duluth hospital after the crash that occurred just after midnight about 200 feet from shore off Bear Island Road on the west side of the lake.

According to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department, the helicopter suffered an undetermined mechanical problem shortly after lifting off from the beach along the lake. It sunk in about 15 feet of water.

The helicopter is registered to Lake Superior Helicopters, where Monson is chief pilot. He was the only person in the helicopter when it went down.

Monson and others were attending a gathering at the lake home of Michael Van Staagen where several people were flying remote-controlled airplanes. People at the gathering used a pontoon boat to immediately rescue Monson.

Neighbors said an insurance adjuster was at the scene this morning and that it wasn’t clear when or how the helicopter, a Robinson R44 Raven II, will be removed from the lake.

[jwmiller33]

wow thats crazy stuff right there! might have to go mark a waypoint over that (if they dont remove it) and see if some crappies relate to the new structure come winter time

[H2O Milfoil]

I fish with airplane jigs a lot. I wonder if I can find a big ol' treble hook somewhere...

[Northlander]

Ya they had that on KQDS on my way to Fish Lake this morning. Maybe I should have went to Island. At least there I would have had some excitement. Fish was dead with only a few Largemouth and Pike caught. Walleyes and Crappies wouldnt play fair.

[tacklejunkie]

How would you remove that from the lake?

[reinhard1]

with another helicopter? good luck.

[hound32]

maybe wait till ice season?

[Jack Stasney]

Big truck with a big winch.

[shamrock7]

They will just get some air bags strategically placed on the bird and fill them up and up it will come. Float to the nearest landing and take it out. Pretty simple operation, actually

[2thepointsetters]

Its out of the water already.

[Northlander]

Should be.

[buzz1ng]

SO is there not a policy on Heliciopters like vehicles? Fines Ect. Does helicopter oil and fuel not pollute? LOL IM sure the DNR will spend millions now on figuring out a law on how to fine Helicopters dropping in a lake.

[Northlander]

Im sure no matter what motorized vehicle it is that falls in the water has a fine per day. That helicopters fuel has to be terrible for that water!

I hope it doesnt kill any of whatever nice sized walleyes are in there.

Maybe it was a nuclear helicopter and its fuel will make a HUGE genetic strain of 25# walleyes.